Month: May 2025

Korean Oaks Sunday Busan & Seoul: Race-By-Race Preview (May 4)

Sunday’s feature is the Korean Oaks (1800M KOR-G2), the 2nd leg of the Triple Tiara series for three-year-old fillies and mares. It’s the final race on a 60race card at Busan from 12:05 to 16:30. There are also 11 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Eclipse Berry won last year’s Oaks (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(1) DRAGON FANTASY comes in following a best to date 2nd over this distance on April 12th when handy throughout and running on. From a good draw he will be on or close to the pace again and won’t need to improve much on that effort to win. The danger is (4) HAKSAN PRINCE. He is seemingly figuring things out with a 4th and a 3rd from his latest two, both at this distance recording the fastest time among these for the 1300M in the process. He can settle behind the speed and run on. (5) RAON PARANOMA finished off well from a long way back and a wide gate last time out. He can be further forward sooner here and may appreciate the slight step up in trip. (10) HIGH CROWN and (11) ECLIPSE TANGO others who can improve.

Selections(1) Dragon Fantasy (4) Haksan Prince (5) Raon Paranoma (10) High Crown
Next Best11, 9
Fast Start1, 5, 8, 11

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden and (5) MORNING WONDER shapes a short price favourite. From her four starts so far she has been no worse than 4th, including a close 2nd place in a quick time over 1300M two starts back and in this small field she will be on pace and should win. (6) GEOLJAK CHUJKE hasn’t done much in two starts so far but there was four months between them. She led on her return on April 12th and while she ultimately finished back in the pack, she can strip fitter here and in the absence of much early speed here, she can get an easy lead and may be in it for longer. (9) GLORY DAY was an improved 4th at start number three on April 5th, recording the quickest time among these for the 1200M. That’s enough for her to go in the numbers here. (8) WINNER GLORY and (1) MIRACLE SOCKS others to look out for.

Selections(5) Morning Wonder (6) Geoljak Chukje (9) Glory Day (8) Winner Glory
Next Best1, 7
Fast Start1, 3, 6, 8

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(2) SSOARA STAR got her maiden win on March 1st at this distance before running 3rd from gate ten on his first try at this class on April 6th. He draws better today and is the one to beat. (11) SMART TAKE returned from five months off on March 30th to get her maiden win over this distance. She comes up in class but is down in weight and she may well prove fitter for that run. (8) RAON NOTHERN DANCE will need a line drawn though his latest when he led before weakening late on over 1400M. He can lead again and the cut back in trip can suit. The up in class last start maiden winners (5) BREEDO TROPHY and (3) GEUMGYEPORAN both showed in their wins that they can measure up at this level.

Selections(2) Ssoara Star (11) Smart Take (8) Raon Nothern Dance (5) Breedo Trophy
Next Best3, 1
Fast Start2, 7, 8, 9

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(7) CHAMP SONNY has two 3rd places and two 5th places from four appearances so far with the former coming at this distance and a mile. He has run both on pace and from behind and today should be his day over a limited looking set of rivals. (4) DOCTOR SOLAR was an improved 2nd when stepped up to this trip on April 11th, settling midfield and running on. Expect similar today and he looks the only credible danger to the favourite. (9) HEUIMANG GUNJU has a 3rd place at 1300M two starts back and that’s enough for him to go in the numbers here. (2) MEANINGFUL TIME and (1) SUN JAE other place chances.

Selections(7) Champ Sonny (4) Doctor Solar (9) Heuimang Gunju (2) Meaningful Time
Next Best1, 6
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 9

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(10) SONGDANG HWANGTAEJA may be up in class without a win – or even a 2nd place – but looks rather nicely in here in what isn’t a strong race for the level. He has three 3rd place finishes, most recently at this distance on April 5th, coming from off the pace, and coming down a full 4.5kg, should be right in this. (2) ECO WORLD took a couple of goes to settle at this class but was a close 2nd at this distance on April 22nd, racing close to the pace throughout and a similar effort will see her close here. (3) HIGH FOLLY had a hard time on his first try at this class a month ago but comes back up to the trip at which he won in March and is worth another chance. (9) KYLIE and (5) MINT PLAY other possibles.

Selections(10) Songdang Hwangtaeja (2) Eco World (3) High Folly (9) Kylie
Next Best5, 7
Fast Start2, 3, 5, 7

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(4) VANGIE got his maiden win at start three over this distance on March 30th, settling midfield and proving too strong. He has made progress across all his starts so far and while he is up in class, he comes down in weight and will be expected to make it two in a row. (5) HANEUL BOSS was an outsider on his latest over this distance on April 6th, but he led for much of the way around, ultimately coming home in 4th. He draws well to lead here and can be in things a long way again. The up in class pair of (2) ROAD TO SPRING and (3) GLOBAL HEROINE both come down in the weights and should be able to measure up at this level. (9) OCEAN ONE TAP another place chance.

Selections(4) Vangie (5) Haneul Boss (2) Road To Spring (3) Global Heroine
Next Best9, 8
Fast Start2, 5, 6, 7

Seoul Race 5: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(9) PALO ALTO had a hard time when sent to Busan for the Luna Stakes, the opening leg of the Triple Tiara, at the end of March. She could have easily got into this afternoon’s Oaks but stays in Seoul to here instead and the drop back in trip as well as a light weight make her the one to beat. (7) GEOMIBULU overcame gate ten to win at class and distance on April 6th. An apprentice claiming 3kg means she comes in at the same weight and she can be close again. (4) SEONGSIL YEONGUNG was a winner at this class over 1700M two starts back and while he had a hard time from a wide draw on his return at the end of March, this should suit, and he can return to form. (6) BEOLGYO CHADOL and (5) CHALLENGE SOCKS others to consider for the minors.

Selections(9) Palo Alto (7) Geomibulu (4) Seongsil Yeongung (6) Beolgyo Chadol
Next Best5, 1
Fast Start1, 6, 9, 11

Busan Race 3: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

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Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (May 3)

There are 10 races at Seoul on Saturday from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(9) TEUKGEUP PARTY was a front-running 2nd on debut at the end of last year before running 5th when unable to get on the speed from the widest gate at start number two in February. The draw is scarcely much better today but she comes in fresh after twelve weeks off and in this company has as good a chance as any. (1) DOUBLE NINE enters off an improved 4th at start three over this distance on March 23rd when racing more forward than in his two previous tries. From the inside gate, Jo Sang-beom can put him on the speed here and he can be in this a long way. (5) BROWN SUGAR looks to be heading in the right direction after a pair of 5th places and can aim to better that here. (10) CRAZY APPLE and (3) CHOEGANG SPEED are others to consider.

Selections(9) Teukgeup Party (1) Double Nine (5) Brown Sugar (10) Crazy Apple
Next Best3, 7
Fast Start1, 5, 9, 11

Seoul Race 2: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies and mares only. (5) GINA SONG was a winner at start two in March before running 4th on her first try at this class on April 5th, settling just behind the speed and running on. She is fairly weighted, she draws well, and she can win. It’s competitive though. (4) HIT FLY returned from four months out to run 4th at this distance in February. She has had a further ten weeks off since then but looks nicely in here and from a good gate can be on pace and is a chance. (9) JOSE is yet to win in eight attempts but enters off back-to-back runner-up finishes, most recently at this class and distance on April 6th and a similar effort here will put right in the finish. (6) I AM GO and (1) WONPYEONG NURI are others in the frame.

Selections(5) Gina Song (4) Hit Fly (9) Jose (6) I Am Go
Next Best1, 11
Fast Start1, 4, 6, 9

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(2) JILJUUI YEOWANG was a winner on debut over April 5th in a filly maiden over 1200M settling handy and running on well. She comes up in class and slightly in trip but on that evidence, neither should be a problem and she can win again. (5) GRIFFON is still a maiden but ran well enough for 3rd place on his first try at this class on April 5th. He has a decent finish on him and can be in the mix late here. (8) WONDERFUL FAPPY took a couple of goes to get to grips with this class following his maiden win but he was a strong 2nd at 1400M last time out having led for much of the way and the slight drop back in trip can be in his favour. (11) J ONE POWER and (6) SEGWANG JILJU are others to consider.

Selections(2) Jiljuui Yeowang (5) Griffon (8) Wonderful Fappy (11) J One Power
Next Best6, 10
Fast Start2, 3, 7, 8

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(5) YEONGWON GIANT is yet to win in thirteen attempts but stepped up to two turns for the first time on March 29th and was a front-running 2nd over 1800M. He should have derived benefit from that experience and can go one better this time. The main danger is (1) GOOGOO. She enters in consistent form having got her maiden win in February over 1300M before running 3rd on both her first two tries at this class, most recently at this distance on April 20th. She makes a quick return here and should be close. (9) BEOLGYO D Y is another maiden but steps up to two turns for the first time and it can suit. (8) DANGCHAN NANGBO and (7) EUMSEONG POWER are the other place chances.

Selections(5) Yeongwon Giant (1) Googoo (9) Beolgyo D Y (8) Dangchan Nangbo
Next Best7, 6
Fast Start1, 4, 5, 9

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (May 2)

Korean Oaks weekend kicks off with an 8-race card at Busan on Friday. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in the opening maiden. (10) AREUMDAUNNALDEUL ran 6th in debut before being an improved 3rd at start two on April 13th. Seo Seung-un stays on and third-up she can be peaking. On debut, she was beaten by (8) JJAK SARANG, who is the obvious danger. She has a 4th, 2nd, and a 3rd from three outings so far, racing handy each time and she will be there or thereabouts again. (7) OH FANTASTIC was beaten by a couple of these on debut in March but was an improved 5th at the second time of asking on April 6th when racing on pace. She has the best start among these, Franco climbs on, and she should be in the mix again. (1) NAMYANG RUBY and (6) TWOTWO PERFOR others who can improve.

Selections(10) Areumdaunnaldeul (8) Jjak Sarang (7) Oh Fantastic (1) Namyang Ruby
Next Best6, 5
Fast Start3, 6, 7, 9

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(2) TAMNA FIRST took a while to get to the races, but it was worth the wait with a debut 2nd over 1200M on March 28th, when settling midfield and running on. He should have come on for that run, he draws a much better gate, and he can win. (3) ALL THE WAY also debuted in that March 28th race, coming from well off the pace to run a useful 3rd. She too should have derived benefit from that and can be in this all the way. (9) SHOOT FOR THEMOON impressed in trials and was a fair 5th on debut on March 21st at this distance, settling back and running on. He is another who can have come on for the experience. (10) HIGH TENSION and (8) WONDER MOCCASIN have more experience and can be in this.

Selections(2) Tamna First (3) All The Way (9) Shoot For Themoon (10) High Tension
Next Best8, 11
Fast Start2, 5, 8, 10

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(9) GLORY WIND beat several of these in her way to 2nd from the widest gate on what was her first try over the mile on April 11th. She should get an easier run to the front today and she is favoured to go one better. (1) HIT MAJOR ran 3rd in that race which for him too was a best to date finish. He had been getting better across his last couple of outings and Tanaka stays on. (6) DORAON SAMSON has a 2nd place on his record and while he could only manage 6th on his first try at a mile last month, he can have learned from it and Seo Seung-un climbing up for the first time will make plenty take note. (4) GLORY ALPHA and (2) FLYING ICE other place chances.

Selections(9) Glory Wind (1) Hit Major (6) Doraon Samson (4) Glory Alpha
Next Best2, 8
Fast Start1, 6, 9, 11

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies and mares only here. (7) FLY TO THE MOON remains a maiden but has never finished any worse than 5th and has a 2nd and a 4th in two tries at this class, both over this distance. In this company she can be on pace and today can be her day. (3) KYUNGNAM DRAGON was the winner of a similar class and distance race on April 11th, settling handy and running on. She has never failed to place over 1200M and while she is up 3kg in the weights, she draws nicely and can be a danger again. (1) SEOGWI LADY was 5th in that April 11th race having previously won on debut at this distance in March. She is another who will be on the speed and can be in this a long way. (5) DAESUNG FLY and (6) MOTHER CHUKJE are others in the frame.

Selections(7) Fly To The Moon (3) Kyungnam Dragon (1) Seogwi Lady (5) Daesung Fly
Next Best6, 8
Fast Start1, 3, 5, 7

Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

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