Day: August 21, 2025

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (August 22)

The final weekend before racing switches to an afternoon and evening schedule to run through September sees the action kick off at Busan on Friday with 8 races between 11:25 and 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile filly maidens in the opener with all but two racing for the first time. We’ll just about side with the experience and (7) TWIN RAINBOW ran 4th on debut over this distance on July 11th, overcoming a slightly slow start to run on. She should have benefited from the experience and Seo Seung-un getting on will attract attention. Given that the other one who has raced before didn’t do much, we head to the trial videos and (2) WORLD EAGLE CAT beat three of today’s rivals on her way to 2nd in her heat and from a good draw and with Franco on, must be a chance. (9) GRAND TREE posted a decent time when 3rd in her trial and if she brings that form to the races, she can be in the finish. (3) HUIMANG SARANG and (11) NICE POWER, 3rd behind World Eagle Cat in their trial, others who can make an impact.

Selections(7) Twin Rainbow (2) World Eagle Cat (9) Grand Tree (3) Huimang Sarang
Next Best11, 8
Fast Start3, 7, 9, 11

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

Small field and (2) VICTORY STORY gets the nod. He has mixed his form but his last start 3rd place on July 13th when settling midfield and running on is enough to suggest that he is ready to win here. (7) GAMDONGUI DOLPA has shown steady progress across four starts to date, culminating in a 3rd place finish at 12000M on June 13th. She comes in fresh after ten weeks off and shapes as the main danger. (3) BAEKPAL BOEUN is yet to finish any better than 3rd in twelve starts but this is not exactly a tough race and if she can get off to at least a fair start, she can be in the finish. (4) FINAL HIT and, given it is such a weak race, newcomer (5) OASIS CHAMP, are others to consider.

Selections(2) Victory Story (7) Gamdongui Dolpa (3) Baekpal Boeun (4) Final Hit
Next Best5, 1
Fast Start1, 2, 6, 8

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(6) MUHAN NAREUSHA ran 3rd on debut over 1200M on July 18th, coming from well off the pace. That was his style in trials too, so we are going to be very superficial and assume that the additional half furlong is what is required to get him home on top. The sole debut-maker is (3) EXCELLENT RUN. He was an on-pace 3rd in a fair time in the second of his trials and in this limited company, that’s enough to make him a chance. (8) EOKSAE has hinted at ability with an improved 4th place last time out, (1) BLUEORCHID and (7) TOP BLUE others in line for the places in what is a very ordinary race.

Selections(6) Muhan Nareusha (3) Excellent Run (8) Eoksae (1) Blueorchid
Next Best7, 5
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 7

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(9) BEOLMA WINNER raced twice last autumn and showed promise but then didn’t return until this August 2nd when he beat several of today’s rivals on his way to 2nd place at 1300M. He should strip fitter for that run and is favoured to go one better today. (6) HWANHUI BANK was 3rd in that race, coming from off the pace to score his best finish to date. The slight step up in trip can suit, and he can be a danger. (8) HEAVY DUTY has a 2nd place to his name and comes back in trip after recent work at a mile and he can be on pace and in the finish. (7) CRUELLA and (1) GANGSEO GENIUS are others who can contend for the places.

Selections(9) Beolma Winner (6) Hwanhui Bank (8) Heavy Duty (7) Cruella
Next Best1, 2
Fast Start2, 5, 8, 9

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

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