A week ago, Funny Wild snared the first jewel in the Triple Crown, the three-year-old fillies start their own bid for glory with the Luna Stakes (1600M KOR-Listed) – the “Korean 1000 Guineas” – the first leg of the 2026 Triple Tiara, at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. SEE HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 SUNDAY RACES ACROSS BUSAN AND SEOUL.
The Tiara is a relatively new series, with the Luna – named after the mare who ran at Busan shortly after the track’s opening – only becoming part of the calendar in 2020. However, in that short time two fillies, Golden Power and Jeulgeounyeojeong, have won the race and then gone on to also capture both the Korean Oaks and Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup.
Who can join them this year? A full field of sixteen will line up, with six traveling down from Seoul and unlike the KRA Cup Mile, where Seoul wins are a rarity, precisely half of the Luna Stakes to date have been won by fillies trained in the capital.
Among the visitors is CHIEF STAR. She’s the highest rated in the race after four wins including at juvenile Listed level but her previous trip to Busan did not go well as she went over in the gate prior to the start of the G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie and had to be scratched. She draws concerningly wide here and while her ability is not in doubt, her temperament issues are a concern.
Kim Hye-sun has made a fair start to her training career with six winners from sixty-five starters heading into the weekend and she saddles CLEARLY WINNER in the Luna. The Hansen filly comes out the Listed Gyeongnam Shinmun over 1400M where she finished a solid 3rd and she is set to be a main player here. With Park Jae-I riding, it would be the first case in Korea of a wife and husband trainer/jockey combination winning a Stakes race.
After Chief Star, TWIN RAINBOW is the highest rated in the race as jockey Seung-un looks to complete a KRA Cup Mile/Luna Stakes double, while WORLD DANCER CAT enters off a close 2nd place over 1800M at class 4 level and will be among the favourites in the market.
The Luna Stakes is race 6 on Sunday’s seven-race card at Busan. There are also ten Sunday races at Seoul:
1. QUEEN MAKER – Two 2nd places and before getting her maiden win at start three over 1300M in a quick time at class 5 over 1300M on February 27th. Front runner, she could be on pace and Tanaka is a plus.
2. SHACKLE TOWN – All the way winner at class 5 and 1400M in February, she missed the kick and then resented the kickback on her latest outing and finished well back. If she gets a better start and can get to the lead, she can be in the finish. Chance.
3. CLEARLY WINNER – Won her first three up to Class 4 and an all-filly affair at 1400M from the front before finishing 3rd behind colts Clutch Winner and Hey Brother in the Listed Gyeongnam Shinmun at 1400M. That’s an impressive resume and from a great draw, she is a big chance.
4. WORLD DANCER CAT – Two wins and two 2nd places from four starts most recently a close runner-up in a good time over 1800M at class 4 level when leading for much of the way. On that form she is not to be dismissed here with Franco, who has ridden her every time, staying up.
5. TWIN RAINBOW – Three wins from seven starts up to 1400M and class 4. Ran 5th last time out at class 3 level in a race with a rating higher than any but Chief Star has participated in. Mile can suit and she will be among the favourites as Seo Seung-un looks to complete a Cup Mile/Luna double.
6. BORYEONGUI SINYONG – A win and four 3rd places from five starts up to class 5 level. She’s posted consistent times at 1400M and has finished off her races well so the mile can suit, but others are favoured.
7. STRAWBERRY QUEEN – One of only four to have tackled a mile, finishing 2nd at class 4 level in December. Form has slipped a little since, so not among the favourites but she will see out the trip.
8. GOLDEN EMPIRE – Two-time winner and most recently 3rd over 1400M at class 4 level in a decent race for the level when she came from off the pace although her wins were from the front. Mile can suit but not among the top line of favourites.
9. COSMO LONG – Got her maiden win at start four over 1400M and then ran 3rd to Raon Finalle at class 5 and 1400M on March 2nd. Plenty to find here.
10. TIGER ROAR – Just the one win over 1400M at class 5 level but gets her chance after coming from well off the pace for 2nd over that same distance at class 4 on March 2nd. Mile can be in her favour, but will need to lift in this company.
11. FAPPI BABE – An all the way maiden winner over 1400M at start three leading all the way before missing the kick but running on for 3rd behind Queen Maker at the end of February. Big race jockey on but others are more convincing.
12. MYEONG DREAM – Won three in a row up to 1400M and class 5 before finishing 6th of ten over the Seoul mile at class 4 level, going right back before running on. Needs to step up here but is a minor money chance.
13. FANTASTIC BOLT – Can be taken seriously here following a very close 2nd place over this distance at class 4 level on March 8th when racing handy throughout. Not among the favourites but can’t be discounted.
14. CHIEF STAR – Listed winner as a juvenile but went over in the gate when about to start as favourite for the G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie. She bounced back to win at class 4 level over 1400M in January and then ran 2nd having led at class 3 over the same distance in February. She wasn’t comfortable in the gate on either occasion and this remains a concern.
15. RAON FINALLE – Has won her latest two, both at class 5 and both over 1400M and has never been worse than 3rd. She’s been versatile in that she has raced well from on and off the pace and can challenge for the minors.
16. CATCH RACE – Maiden winner over 1400M in December and then 5th of thirteen in Listed juvenile company before running 3rd over 1700M on his return from a layoff on March 7th at class 5 over 1700M. Has the challenge of the widest gate and she is an outsider.
Horse Racing in Korea 