The Sprint Series gets underway on Sunday with the Busan Ilbo (1200M KOR-G3) on the south coast. There are 7 races at Busan from 11:25 to 16:55 and 10 at Seoul from 10:35 to 17:55. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(7) YEONGWONHAN SOLEO ran 2nd on debut before following up with 4th at start number two on January 24th both times racing handy. Third-up she should be nice and fit and with Maia climbing on for the first time, he can win. (8) BINNALEEDS improved to 4th on her second appearance, which came at this distance on January 4th when away among the trailers but running on well. She comes in fresh after nine weeks out and should be danger. (11) FLASH JUDE similarly improved at her second start and can challenge late here. (3) STUNNING BOLT and (9) MISS CHRISTIE are others who have hinted at ability and can be in at least the placing frame in a competitive opener.
| Selections | (7) Yeongwonhan Soleo (8) Binnaleeds (11) Flash Jude (3) Stunning Bolt |
| Next Best | 9, 2 |
| Fast Start | 3, 5, 7, 9 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(7) ONEMO TIME ran 2nd to Reverence at this distance two starts back before finishing 4th over 1400M on her latest effort at the end of December. She hasn’t raced since then so she comes in fresh, CC gets on, and she can win. (6) BEAT FRESH shapes as the main threat. She has a 3rd and a 4th from her latest two, most recently at this distance on January 24th when on pace. Her times haven’t been quick but that’s been more to do with recent track conditions, and she can be expected to be on pace again and in this a long way. (3) STUNNING POINT has a pair of 5th places from her latest two. She has finished off her races well so may appreciate the step up in trip and she can challenge. (8) BANK LINE and (5) NAEGEROWAJWO others in the hunt.
| Selections | (7) Onemo Time (6) Beat Fresh (3) Stunning Point (8) Bank Line |
| Next Best | 5, 11 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 6, 8 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Maidens with five of the twelve racing for the first time. We’ll go with a first timer and (4) SKYNEX. A half-brother to last year’s KRA Cup Mile and Korean Derby winner Oasis Blue, he was an on-pace winner of a trial on February 5th and if he brings that form to the races, he has every chance first-up. (6) SUCCESS PYEONGHWA debuted all the way back last July and ran well for 2nd but later developed a chip fracture. He looked very well when leading all the way in a February trial and he can pick up from where he left off. (12) ARE YOU READY has a 3rd and a 2nd from three starts, sandwiching a lesser effort, and can be in this. Newcomer (8) BABEL FOLGORE, along with (10) WOLF STEP, who needs his latest overlooked, are others to consider on a place line.
| Selections | (4) Skynex (6) Success Pyeonghwa (12) Are You Ready (8) Babel Folgore |
| Next Best | 10, 5 |
| Fast Start | 4, 6, 10, 11 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Fillies (and one mare) only here. We’ll go with that mare, (2) RAON PARANOMA but we will need to forgive her latest at the end of December where aside from a very small bump at the start and then racing ungenerously late, she didn’t have many excuses for a poor effort when well backed. Prior to that she was going well and after ten weeks off and in this company, she is worth another chance. (5) BLACK SUN has a 3rd place on her record and enters off back-to-back 5th place finishes over 1400M and 1700M. She tends to leave herself too much to do but should be running on late. (1) GRAY PHANTOM comes back in trip to a distance at which she has recorded the fastest time of any of these and with a 4kg claim can be in this. (8) NUNKKOT and (11) SAENAE RANIA others to consider.
| Selections | (2) Raon Paranoma (5) Black Sun (1) Gray Phantom (8) Nunkkot |
| Next Best | 11, 9 |
| Fast Start | 2, 7, 9, 11 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(9) KING BLACK was ordinary on debut but has since run 4th on three consecutive occasions most recently racing handy over 1300M. He steps up to a mile for the first time and has as good a chance as any of coming out on top here. He may have more improvement in him than (2) DOROTHY QUEEN. She enters off her best finishes to date having been 2nd in both her latest two over this distance when coming from off the pace. She has the fastest time among these for the mile (though that’s not quick) and will be in the finish. (1) MAGIC MIRROR has beaten a few of these across his latest two when 2nd at 1400M and then 4th at this distance on February 15th. He’ll be on the pace and in this a long way. (10) BIROE SERVE and (6) SMART YULIM others who should be competitive.
| Selections | (9) King Black (2) Dorothy Queen (1) Magic Mirror (10) Biroe Serve |
| Next Best | 6, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 6, 9, 12 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(9) GWANAKSAN SKY was an on pace five-length winner on debut over 1200M on February 7th having previously won a trial. He comes up in class and in trip today but neither should be a problem, and he can win again. Plenty of others enter with form reading very well though. (4) MIGHTY BEAT got his maiden win at this distance at the end of December and then ran 2nd on his first try at this class on February 1st, racing handy and running on. A 3kg apprentice claim keeps his carried weight light, and he is a big danger. (3) HAKSAN PRINCE is yet to win in eighteen but has placed seven times and should be there or thereabouts again. (7) CAPTAIN RISE and (5) WONPYEONG GANGJA others in the frame. Be warned about (2) JUNMA FORCE. She refused to parade before her scheduled last start and has taken several attempts to requalify. If she gets to the start, she may be a wild card.
| Selections | (9) Gwanaksan Sky (4) Mighty Beat (3) Haksan Prince (7) Captain Rise |
| Next Best | 5, 2 |
| Fast Start | 8, 9, 10, 11 |
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies and mares only. (5) BORYEONGUI SINYONG registered her maiden win at start two in November and has since finished 3rd in two tries at this class, both over 1400M. She has a smart finish on her and should prove too strong for this set of rivals. (3) SUCCESS GOLD and (6) BIG STAR come in having run 3rd and 4th respectively when they raced each other in a similar race to this on February 2nd. Success Gold draws better today while Big Star is already a winner over this trip and both should at the very least be in the placing hunt again. (11) SEOGWI CREST was a winner on debut and has followed up with a pair of 5th places in two tries at this class. (9) MAGIC SHOW another to consider on a place line.
| Selections | (5) Boryeongui Sinyong (3) Success Gold (6) Big Star (11) Seogwi Crest |
| Next Best | 9, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 8, 10, 11 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(11) GRACE DAY was building up to a maiden win, and it duly arrived over this distance on February 8th when he scored by nine-lengths having led all the way and with the margins further down the field big too. He is up in class, but down 2kg in weight and given the manner of that victory, he can overcome the wide gate and win again. (10) J ONE POWER won all the way back at start three but has been knocking on the door in recent efforts having finished in 3rd or 4th in each of his last five outings. He likes to settle midfield and run on and can run into a place again. (6) MAX PARTY arrested a run of ordinary form with a 3rd place over 1400M on January 25th and with CC up can aim to match that here. (8) STORM TROOPER and (5) JOY CHEONHA are the other main contenders.
| Selections | (11) Grace Day (10) J One Power (6) Max Party (8) Storm Trooper |
| Next Best | 5, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 8, 11 |
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(3) DAEROUI BIT got his breakthrough at start two over this distance in December, leading all the way, before coming close to repeating the trick on her first try at this class on January 25th when leading but ultimately finishing 2nd. She stays under the same light weight, she draws well to lead again, and this time she may not be caught. (2) WIND SWORD was also a maiden winner two starts back before finishing 2nd on his first try at this class on February 15th. He likes to come from off the pace and can be a danger late. (8) TRICK SHOT is yet to win in six but is up in class after some near-misses, including 3rd behind Wind Sword and down 3kg in weight, can measure up. (12) STUKA and (4) MAGIC SWEETIE among the place chances.
| Selections | (3) Daeroui Bit (2) Wind Sword (8) Trick Shot (12) Stuka |
| Next Best | 4, 11 |
| Fast Start | 3, 6, 8, 11 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
Since getting her maiden win, (7) DUSON EUTTEUM has missed the top two on only one occasion and was a class and distance winner two starts back and then beat three of these when an on-pace 2nd on February 1st. An apprentice claim takes him down 3.5kg in weight here and from on the speed, he can go all the way. (2) RAON FLORENCE is the danger. He was a class 5 winner at this distance two starts back and was then 2nd in a quick race at this class on January 18th. He too gets an apprentice claim and a good draw and can be competing on the front from the start. (3) BYEOKSONG continues the pattern of winning two starts back before running 2nd last time and should be there or thereabouts again. (6) HEART K and (5) HANSEN STAR other chances.
| Selections | (7) Duson Eutteum (2) Raon Florence (3) Byeoksong (6) Heart K |
| Next Best | 5, 11 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 7, 11 |
Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(8) SHACKLE TOWN has two wins and a 2nd from three starts so far, which brings her up to this class. She is up in trip too but comes down 3kg in weight and should be on pace with every chance of scoring again at what may even be an each-way price. Faovurite will be (5) WHITE FLARE. It took him a couple of goes to figure things out, but he has won his latest two in fine style from the front, most recently over 1400M on January 16th. He too is down in weight and Seo Seung-un stays on. (11) KING’S KING got rapidly promoted to this level with back-to-back wins in November and December. He has finished 4th in both tries at this class, most recently his first go at a mile on February 13th, and he can aim to better that here. (3) RICH TREE and (1) BEST BOY among plenty of others entering with recent form reading well.
| Selections | (8) Shackle Town (5) White Flare (11) King’s King (3) Rich Tree |
| Next Best | 1, 4 |
| Fast Start | 5, 8, 11, 12 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(3) QUANTUM K had been working towards a second win, and it arrived on February 1st when with an on pace score over 1200M at this class. He has a win and two places at this distance too and while he is up slightly in weight, that’s balanced by a good draw, and he will be favoured to win again. (11) YONGBI HERO has placed in each of his last three starts, all at this class and most recently at this distance on January 31st. The wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and he can be close again. (10) MIGHTY CHOICE was a winner at this class over 1300M on January 28th and with the same apprentice keeping his weight low, shouldn’t be dismissed. (6) WONDERFUFUL PASS and (1) TAPDINE other place chances.
| Selections | (3) Quantum K (11) Yongbi Hero (10) Mighty Choice (6) Wonderful Pass |
| Next Best | 1, 8 |
| Fast Start | 3, 6, 10, 11 |
Busan Race 6: Class Open (1200M) Weight for Age / Busan Ilbo Sprint (KOR G3) / KRW 500 Million
(3) WINNER CLEAR was 5th in the Kookje Shinmun over 1400M last October before winning the KRA Sprint at Yeongnam (Busan) over this distance at the end of December and then scoring again with a gutsy effort to just get up late over four of today’s rivals at class 1 level on January 11th. He can come from off the pace and land his first Group win here. (11) YEONGGWANGUI WORLD looked set to win the Listed Segye Ilbo Trophy over this distance at Seoul last month, leading for all the way until Speed Young flew by late. The draw isn’t so kind this time but his recent form is excellent and he should be close. (1) BORN DIA was only a neck behind Winner Clear in that January 11th race having led for most of the way. They were at level (light weights that day) and Born Dia can make this difficult again. Defending champion (4) VINCERO CAVALLO didn’t maintain his form in the latter half of last year but did look well in a trial. (2) GANGSEO GIANT has beaten plenty of these recently and can do so again for an in-form stable.
| Selections | (3) Winner Clear (11) Yeonggwangui World (1) Born Dia (4) Vincero Cavallo |
| Next Best | 2, 7 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 6, 9, 11 |
Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
After running 2nd on debut, (3) PAS DE CHEVAL has won twice at 1300M and 1400M to get rapidly promoted to this class. He tackles the two turns for the first time, but there is no reason why it can’t suit, and under a very light weight and well-drawn, he can complete his hat-trick here. (1) SOUL BEAT is yet to win in ten but has been getting closer and comes in off his best result to date when 3rd on his first try at this distance on January 11th. That suggests that 1700M can be his go, and he can get closer today. (7) GOLD MUNGCHI is a two-time winner at this distance, and an apprentice claim should make him competitive. (11) CHOEGO BELT and (8) BAEKRYONG can be place chances.
| Selections | (3) Pas De Cheval (1) Soul Beat (7) Gold Mungchi (11) Choego Belt |
| Next Best | 8, 2 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 8, 9 |
Busan Race 7: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(3) AMAZING ONE won three in a row in November and December before coming unstuck behind the very promising Supex Winner on January 23rd when he never showed better than midfield and post-race was assessed as slightly lame. He came back into work on February 13th and based on his efforts prior, is well worth another chance here. (2) UNJU CHALLENGE has been consistent recently and comes in having beaten three of these on her wat to 3rd place at this class and distance on February 8th. She should be aiming to match or better that today. (1) NINETY PLUS is up in class after a 2nd place over this distance on February 13th and a drop in weight can help him measure up. (9) KOHINOOR and (7) LIME TREE are others to consider on a place line.
| Selections | (3) Amazing One (2) Unju Challenge (1) Ninety Plus (9) Kohinoor |
| Next Best | 7, 11 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 8, 12 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(1) TANSEONGUI BANSEOK was a beaten favourite when 2nd at this class and distance on February 8th. He was a winner two starts back and in the absence of another freak performance, like Ace K produced to win that February race by thirteen-lengths, it should fall his way this time. (8) BS STORM won three on the spin between September and December before running 3rd on his first try at this class over a mile on January 18th. He remains under a light weight and having won at this trip before, he can aim to match or better that 3rd here. (2) DRAGON GATE led from gate to wire to score at this class and distance on January 10th. He is up in weight but draws well again and can be in this a long way. (4) BLUE NELLO was for some reason favourite for that January 10th race where he finished 5th. He was 5th again on February 8th behind Tanseongui Banseok and can get closer. (5) GRAY CHARLIE another place chance.
| Selections | (1) Tanseongui Banseok (8) BS Storm (2) Dragon Gate (4) Blue Nello |
| Next Best | 5, 10 |
| Fast Start | 3, 5, 10, 11 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 1 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million
A couple of these should perhaps be in Busan for the G3 over the same distance but in staying here they make for a super finale. (3) BEST RACE had a hard time from the widest gate in the Listed Segye Ilbo Trophy three weeks ago but prior to that won four in a row up to class 2 level including a big Trophy race on international weekend. Under a light weight and well-drawn, he is the one to beat. (7) WOW WOW beat several of these when making all to win a similar race on February 8th. An apprentice claiming 4kg means he carries even less weight this time and he is not to be dismissed. (5) MAGIC POTION was 4th behind Wow Wow on February 8th. He was sent off as favourite having won the KRA Sprint at Seoul on Grand Prix Day and then winning at a mile on January 4th. Nicely weighted, he is firmly in this. (4) SUPER FINISH and (10) GLOBAL BOBAE others in the hunt.
| Selections | (3) Best Race (7) Wow Wow (5) Magic Potion (4) Super Finish |
| Next Best | 10, 9 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 5, 7 |
Horse Racing in Korea 