It’s Korean Derby day and general admission is free to Seoul Racecourse. The big race is set for 4.30pm. There are 10 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 17:55 and 7 at Busan from 11:25 to 17:05. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(9) PARKA SHINE was a disappointing 7th of eleven when well backed over 1200M on March 1st getting away slowly and then always on the backfoot. Prior to that he looked as though he was figuring things out with a 4th and a 3rd and he can be given another chance here with The Moon aboard on his final day. (4) HOT FEVER was an improved 2nd at 1200M on April 5th settling back and running on. He has the fastest time among these for the 1300M, and it would be no surprise if he started as favourite. (10) TAEGUK WANGJA enters off a smart 3rd place over this distance back at the end of January. He has had some issues since that kept him in the swimming pool rather than on the track, but he has been in regular work since April 10th and should be ready for this. Those three will fill out most quinellas, with (7) TWOTWO MAGIC and (5) SMART GRAND, perhaps the best of the rest.
| Selections | (9) Parka Shine (4) Hot Fever (10) Taeguk Wangja (7) Twotwo Magic |
| Next Best | 5, 8 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 6, 8 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Fillies and mares only in this maiden. (3) WONDERFUL TUNE UP has raced eleven times and has never finished any better than 4th, but she has done this on no fewer than six occasions. She settles back and runs on and in this company, unless she automatically stops when she has three left to pass, she really should go by them all and win. It’s hard to make a winning case for the others. (11) SINCHEON HEART ran 4th over this distance two starts back and has as good a chance as any of being in the finish. (1) THE SUN STORY improved to 6th at start number two on March 1st and can continue to improve. (4) DAREURI YEOWANG was 6th on debut on March 29th having got a long way back. Natural improvement and the extended trip can see her closer. (7) NURI QUEENS another minor money chance.
| Selections | (3) Wonderful Tune Up (11) Sincheon Heart (1) The Sun Story (4) Dareuri Yeowang |
| Next Best | 7, 10 |
| Fast Start | 1, 6, 7, 11 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(3) POWER TIGER could not justify the odds-on favouritism on debut, but he gets an even better chance to here in a very winnable maiden. He may have let punters down at his first start but regardless that piece of form is the best on offer in this race by a long way and he can go one better for Masa Tanaka and Kim Hye-sun. (11) BREEDO SHOOTER has five-lengths to find with Power Tiger from April 3 but with a 3kg claim from Nam Jeong-hyeok he can make up some ground. (10) BRAVE RUN put together three consecutive 4th places prior to finishing down the track last time. (6) PILSEUNG WINNER produced the best effort of her career last start so that is a positive. (9) WONDERFUL WIND has been around the mark a few times whilst (1) GRAND HERO was 2nd in a trial but has only been 8th in two starts.
| Selections | (3) Power Tiger (11) Breedo Shooter (10) Brave Run (6) Pilseung Winner |
| Next Best | 9, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 6, 9, 10, 11 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(8) BLISS STAR has chased home a couple of nice winners in his seven-start career, and they include Musket Cleaver and Concord Blue who we see in the Derby later. He is close to a win and is a chance of breaking through in this. However, he will have to contend with (11) KIA ORA who comes off a four-length maiden victory on March 22 when coming from midfield. Based on that win, she can make it back-to-back. (5) BROWN MAMMA won his maiden before winning at this level across the winter. For his second run at this level, he went up 3.5kg and was beaten as favourite. He carries the same weight here so that is a concern, but he has the ability. (3) CUPID K has been just behind the placegetters of late and rates over (7) MANGEUM CROWN, who makes his first run at this grade, and (10) ROYAL BEST.
| Selections | (8) Bliss Star (11) Kia Ora (5) Brown Mamma (3) Cupid K |
| Next Best | 7, 10 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 7, 8, 10 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(2) NEWWORLD TIARA has had the two starts for a five-length 4th on debut in March before halving the beaten margin when 3rd last month. She clearly goes on top as she brings the most consistent form, albeit from just two starts. (7) QUEEN THE GOLD ran the best race of her career last time when coming from midfield to run a one-and-a-half length 2nd. If she replicates that performance, she could go one better. (6) WONDERFUL PREACH has been just behind the placegetters in the majority of her seven starts and it is a similar story for (5) BREEDO CAPTAIN. (1) GREAT CHAMP and (4) THANKYOUFORTHETIME head the rest.
| Selections | (2) Newworld Tiara (7) Queen The Gold (6) Wonderful Preach (5) Breedo Captain |
| Next Best | 1, 4 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 6, 7 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(5) FLYING CONCORD returned from over nine months out to run 2nd at this class over 1200M on April 5th when leading for most of the way. He should have come on for that run, he draws well to lead again, and this time he can go all the way. (2) RAON SAPPHIRE is a winner of two from four, most recently at this class and distance on March 28th when coming from off the pace and beating a couple of today’s rivals. She comes up 2.5kg in weight, but she can be a danger again. (11) REFLECT was 4th behind Raon Sapphire in that race, continuing a consistent run of results at this level and he should be there or thereabouts again. Up in class last start winners (7) CLOVER ONE and (3) QUERENCIA, the former scoring on debut, both probably have a bit to find at this level but shouldn’t be ruled out.
| Selections | (5) Flying Concord (2) Raon Sapphire (11) Reflect (7) Clover One |
| Next Best | 3, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 8, 9 |
Busan Race 3: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(5) BLACK SPRING goes up 4.5kg and 12lb for his last start front-running course, distance and grade victory on March 22 but if he goes as good as he did when beating arguably a better field by seven-lengths that day he will be hard to get close to in this. (4) SEOBU VISION led throughout to win a trial by ten-lengths on April 16 so with different form-lines to most of the others she could be a danger first-up for four months. (3) NONSTOP DUTY has been 6th in each of her last two, including behind Black Spring on March 22. She is best of the rest over (7) BREEDO WIZARD, who was a last start 2nd, (6) HUIMANG RANI and (1) YULIM SESANG, who has disappointed at his last two.
| Selections | (5) Black Spring (4) Seobu Vision (3) Nonstop Duty (7) Breedo Wizard |
| Next Best | 6, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
After some creditable spins around 1700M, (5) COMPLETE BRO comes back in trip today to a distance at which he ran 2nd on his only previous try, at this class back in December. He draws well, he carries a light weight, and he can win here. (3) PINE PINK is ultra consistent and has never finished any worse than 5th in eleven attempts. She’s run 3rd in two of her latest three, most recently at this class and distance on April 4th when settling midfield and running on. In the absence of an apprentice claim, she comes up 4kg in weight, but she is a big danger. (1) MASTER KWAIGON was a winner at class 5 level over 1200M on April 5th. He is up in class but gets a 2kg weight break and while 1400M hasn’t been his forte so far, he can measure up. (2) YOUNG FIGHTER and (8) SPARKLING others firmly in the hunt in a competitive race.
| Selections | (5) Complete Bro (3) Pine Pink (1) Master Kwaigon (2) Young Fighter |
| Next Best | 8, 7 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 9, 10 |
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Plenty of chances. (1) BLACK JILJU may only have won once in twenty-six attempts, but he comes in off a smart 3rd place over 1200M on April 3rd when coming from midfield and beating three of today’s rivals. The same apprentice keeps his weight nice and light and he has as good a chance as any. (4) HEUIMANG DANBI had a bit of a wobble at the start of this year but hinted at a return to form when 4th over 1300M on April 3rd when handy throughout. From a great draw, she can be on pace here and is a real chance. (3) TAEYANG EUTTEUM was a class and distance winner on April 10th. That was just a third victory for the veteran mare but while she is up 3kg in weight, she draws well again and warrants respect here. (8) WORLD FIGHTER MAN and (7) BORYEONG ONE ROAD others in the placing frame.
| Selections | (1) Black Jilju (4) Heuimang Danbi (3) Taeyang Eutteum (8) World Fighter Man |
| Next Best | 7, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 4, 5 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(6) PERFECT DANAEUN is one for one over the mile having scored two starts back at class 4 level, racing on pace throughout before coming up to this class on March 28th and running a fair 4th over 1800M. He looks well in here and he can maintain his 100% record for the trip. (4) LUCKY FRANK returned to action for the first time since December on April 4th and was a strong 3rd at this class and distance. He comes in under a similarly light weight here, he draws very well and he can mat or better that. He will need to overturn the form on (5) TANSEONGUI BANSEOK, who was 2nd in that April 4th race, settling back and running on. He is a winner at this class and while once more he has his fair share of weight to carry, he should be in the finish. (7) DANCING WHIZ and (8) WHITE CARLA among plenty of others with at least placing chances.
| Selections | (6) Perfect Danaeun (4) Lucky Frank (5) Tanseongui Banseok (7) Dancing Whiz |
| Next Best | 8, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 6, 7 |
Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(2) GOLDEN EMPIRE comes out of the Luna Stakes where she was an underwhelming last of sixteen. Prior to that she scored a 3rd place at this class and distance and under a light weight and drawn well, she can return to form in these shallower waters. (3) STRAWBERRY QUEEN comes out of the Luna Stakes where she was an underwhelming last but one of sixteen. She too has placed at this class and under a light weight and drawn well, she can return to form in these shallower waters. Switching the echo off, (5) SEOBU CAPTAIN returns to action for the first time since winning over this distance at class 5 level last August. He looked good when winning a trial on April 16th and can put in a bold first-up showing from the front here. (10) TTANBONG QUEEN and (8) ENCORE other place chances.
| Selections | (2) Golden Empire (3) Strawberry Queen (5) Seobu Captain (10) Ttanbong Queen |
| Next Best | 8, 7 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 4, 6 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(8) MR. TAEYANG is a winner of two from four and comes in having run 2nd to King Master, who lines up in the Korean Derby later, at this class and distance on March 29th. He has a smart finish on him and under a light weight, he is the one to beat. (6) TRIPLE PALMETTO has won two of her last three, most recently on March 21st when settling midfield and rushing home late over 1400M. She comes up in class as well as in distance, but her racing style suggests the latter can suit in a race that isn’t particularly intimidating for the level. (4) TAENGGEURI won over this distance at class 5 level in March and that’s enough to have him as a place chance here. (2) LOVE O MINE and (5) TINA K the best of an out of form rest.
| Selections | (8) Mr. Taeyang (6) Triple Palmetto (4) Taenggeuri (2) Love O Mine |
| Next Best | 5, 11 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 10, 11 |
Busan Race 6: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(7) OASIS WINNER is yet to win in eighteen attempts but has placed on seven occasions, winning 3rd in each of his last four starts. In this company he should be on or close to the pace and today really should be the day. If he manages to come up short again – and let’s face it, he might – (5) THE NOMINATE looks best placed to take advantage. She’s been working back into form and enters off a runner-up finish at this class and distance on April 3rd when coming from off the pace and beating Oasis Winner (who has raced once since). She was a big price that day but will be much shorter here. (4) LEMON TREE was 4th behind The Nominate and Oasis Winner in that April 3rd race and can be in the mix again. (6) BROWN FALCON and (3) FLYING CROWN are others in the hunt.
| Selections | (7) Oasis Winner (5) The Nominate (4) Lemon Tree (6) Brown Falcon |
| Next Best | 3, 9 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 5, 7 |
Seoul Race 8: Class Open (1800M) Special Weight A / Korean Derby (KOR G1) / KRW 1 Billion
The second leg of the Triple Crown series. (1) DOCTOR CHRIS has raced six times at the Derby distance already, winning three of them up to class 3 level, most recently on March 6th. He skipped the Cup Mile so comes in relatively fresh and from the inside gate, if he can get a good start and lead, there are no doubts about his stamina. (14) FUNNY WILD will be the favourite and a short-price one at that. He won the KRA Cup Mile racing handy throughout, taking things up a furlong out and then holding firm. He has won at 1800M and while he has laboured in the final furlong in each of his final three and his draw is wider than ideal, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he sets himself up for a tilt at Triple Crown glory. (2) HWANG GEUM EO JJANG overcame a wide draw to race on pace in the KRA Cup Mile and stayed on well for 2nd. He gets a much better draw today and can be on the pace early. (15) LIVE STAR can have a line drawn through his KRA Cup Mile expedition where he ruled himself out of contention with antics on the way to the gate and then when starting badly. Before that he was a super winner over 1800M and while he has a challenging gate, if he returns to form, he can win. (3) GWANAKSAN SKY and (4) CHOCOLATE among others sure to get the trip and who can be dangers.
| Selections | (1) Doctor Chris (14) Funny Wild (2) Hwang Geum Eo Jjang (15) Live Star |
| Next Best | 3, 4 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 7, 11, 13, 14 |
Busan Race 7: Class 2 (2200M) Special Weight AB / KRW 90 Million
The first time there has been a race over 2200M at class 2 level at Busan. We’ll take a chance on (2) GOODY, who has a nice late turn of pace but tends to run out of track coming from a long way back. He more than the others may appreciate the jump up in trip. (4) DOCTOR CAPTAIN was 4th behind Goody two starts back at 1800M and then 6th of nine in the TJK Trophy over a mile on April 12th. That may have been a bit too sharp and given his 3rd place at class 2 lever over 2000M in January, he is a chance here. (6) GEUMA GUTTY was well back behind Goody on March 15th but has proven himself at this level and is another for who the extra trip can suit. The venerable (1) MACH TITAN is the only one of these who has raced at 2200M, and he gets an overdue class drop. (8) GRAY BOSS another in the hunt.
| Selections | (2) Goody (4) Doctor Captain (6) Geuma Gutty (1) Mach Titan |
| Next Best | 8, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 6, 8, 11 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(2) WILD MAGIC is yet to win in six attempts but has two runner-up finishes including at this class over 1800M two starts back. She was a well beaten 7th last time out on March 7th when using up plenty of energy to lead from a wide gate, but from a much better draw she should get an easier early run, and she can win. (4) HAKSAN PRINCE was also only ordinary last time out. He is also a maiden, in his case after twenty starts, but he has placed seven times, and this is the kind of race he can go close in. (10) AMOS CHOEGANG tackles two turns for the first time having proven he can be competitive at this class when 4th over 1200M last time out. Seo Seung-un is an intriguing booking given he will either have just won the Derby or just been beaten on the Derby favourite. (7) HAPPY TOGETHER and up in class (6) SU BU TAI others to consider.
| Selections | (2) Wild Magic (4) Haksan Prince (10) Amos Choegang (7) Happy Together |
| Next Best | 6, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 9, 10 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 2 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million
(8) WE GO HIGH is a winner of five from eight, including his latest two, both at this distance and most recent at class 3 level on March 15th when, as is his style, he led all the way. He comes up to this class for the first time, but he still has a quicker fastest time for the distance than any of his rivals today, and he can continue on his merry way. (4) KING HONOR has a 3rd and a 2nd form his latest two both at class and distance, most recently beating a few of today’s rivals on April 5th when settling midfield and running on. He is up 3.5kg on that but the veteran can be a danger again. (6) DAEHEUNG CLASS was 4th in that April 5th race having finally gotten his maiden win at start thirty-five in March. He is a place chance. (1) THUNDER DREAM and (5) NAVY CAPTAIN are minor money chances.
| Selections | (8) We Go High (4) King Honor (6) Daeheung Class (1) Thunder Dream |
| Next Best | 5, 9 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 7, 8 |
Horse Racing in Korea 