Sunday sees the second leg of the 2026 Sprint Series with the SBS Sports Sprint (1200M KOR-G3) at Seoul. Meanwhile at Busan there are six international trophy exchange races. There are 10 races at Seoul from 10.35 to 17.55 and 7 at Busan from 11.25 to 17.55. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(5) GANGHAN GAMMA has made steady progress across three starts so far culminating in 2nd place in a filly only race over this distance on March 14th beaten seven-lengths by Breedo Aqua. She can settle behind the speed here and should prove too strong late on. (3) RACE DIVA was 6th behind Ganghan Gamma in that March 14th race. That was a slight improvement from her debut and from a much better gate she can continue to get better here. (9) BEST THE ON ran three times last autumn with a best of 2nd over this distance. He hasn’t raced since November but looked well enough in a March trial and can be in this first-up. Debut maker (2) VINCENT KATHY went through two trials, winning the second of them. She draws very nicely to be on pace and can put in a bold showing. (11) DONGBAEK among the other place chances.
| Selections | (5) Ganghan Gamma (3) Race Diva (9) Best The On (2) Vincent Kathy |
| Next Best | 11, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 8, 7 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Not the strongest of maidens. (2) SAENAE RANIA came from a wide gate to lead on what was her first try at this distance on March 8th and ultimately finished a solid 3rd. This race is no harder and from a much better draw, she can win. (5) SANGIM YEONGUNG has four top four finishes from five starts with his best being a close 2nd to Saenae Fighter at start two last November. He can get a bit far back in his races, but he can finish strongly and be a danger late here. (6) GEOSEN MUJEOK was ridden a bit further forward on his first try at this distance on March 22nd and finished a fair 5th. With similar tactics here, he can get closer. (3) NICE WINNER and (7) YONGBIGYO are the other main chances.
| Selections | (2) Saenae Rania (5) Sangim Yeongung (6) Geosen Mujeok (3) Nice Winner |
| Next Best | 7, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 6, 7 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / “New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Trophy” / KRW 30 Million
Interesting maiden to open things on the south coast and (3) OASIS GIJEOK gets the nod. He raced three times last year for a best of 3rd and then didn’t reappear for another six months. His return on March 13th saw him beat a couple of today’s rivals on his way to 2nd place at 1200M and stripping fitter for that run, he can go one better today. The main danger could well be the debut maker one gate to his inside. (2) FLASH COCO first trialed in October of 2024 but never made it to the races after a chip fracture and several other setbacks. Her owner/breeder has persevered though and she looked good when 2nd in a trial in March showing handy throughout. From a good draw, she can make an immediate impact. (7) RESPECTING GIRL was an improved 4th behind Oasis Gijeok on March 13th and can continue to make progress here. (1) POWERFUL RUBY and (5) SKY BOY others in the frame.
| Selections | (3) Oasis Gijeok (2) Flash Coco (7) Respecting Girl (1) Powerful Ruby |
| Next Best | 5, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 9, 11 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(4) SAMJOGO led early in the Listed Sports Seoul on March 1st before being overwhelmed late and finishing a well beaten last. Prior to that he was an all the way winner at this class over 1300M and returning to shallower waters today, he can return to winning ways. (9) KOREAN DREAM enters off a close 2nd place at this class and distance on March 21st when handy throughout. In this company he should be on pace, and he shapes as a big rival. (1) STAY BIG was a 60/1 winner at this class over 1400M on March 8th, coming from off the pace. He only comes up 1kg in weight and warrants significantly more respect this time. (11) RAON NIZHINSKII and (6) SAHARAMOND among other place chances.
| Selections | (4) Samjogo (9) Korean Dream (1) Stay Big (11) Raon Nizhinski |
| Next Best | 6, 2 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 7, 9 |
Busan Race 2: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / “Royal Western India Turf Club Trophy” / KRW 60 Million
(3) BUNKER BUSTER has won two of four so far with his others ending in 2nd and 3rd. He is up in class having scored over 1400M on March 15th when he led all the way around and while he was 3rd on his only previous try at this distance, he draws well to lead again, and he will take some beating. (2) DOCTOR CITY and (9) GRAND MORE came home in 2nd and 3rd place respectively when they raced each other at this class and distance on March 6th. The draw here is more favourable to Doctor City although he comes up 1.5kg. Both have ever chance of being in the finish again. (11) NAKDONG MYEONGJAK returns to action for the first time since last November. She has won at this trip, and she looked well enough in a March trial to suggest she can put in a good effort here. (8) BREEDO MIRACLE another firmly in the frame.
| Selections | (3) Bunker Buster (2) Doctor City (9) Grand More (11) Nakdong Myeongjak |
| Next Best | 8, 5 |
| Fast Start | 4, 7, 9, 11 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(more…)
Horse Racing in Korea 