It’s “Owners’ Day” in Seoul this Sunday and in the feature race Vincero Cavallo will bid to complete back-to-back clean sweeps of the the Sprint Series. The SROA Chairman’s Sprint (1200M KOR-G2) is race 8 with a local post time of 16:30. There are 10 Sunday races in Seoul from 10:35 to 17:55 and 7 in Busan from 11:25 to 16:55. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(2) GOLDEN WARRIOR has started to figure things out across her latest couple with a 5th and most recently a close 3rd place on April 18th at this distance when, as has been her habit, she was slow away before running on well. So long as she doesn’t leave herself too much to do, she can win here. (6) CRUSH GIRL also came from a long way back to run a fair 4th on debut over 1200M. She should have derived benefit from that run, the slight step up in trip can suit, and she is a chance here. (4) NINE SPEAR enters off a 3rd place over 1200M on April 18th and can be in the finish again. (5) B.K. VIVACE and (9) DANAEUN RUBY are others who can be considered on a place line.
| Selections | (2) Golden Warrior (6) Crush Girl (4) Nine Spear (5) B.K. Vivace |
| Next Best | 9, 8 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 7, 9 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(7) BEST FREEDOM has a 2nd and a 3rd from his latest two, both times coming from just behind the speed over 1400M. There’s not much early speed in this race so he shapes as the potential leader here and he can win. (4) HWARANGSAN JEONGGI has eight top five finishes including each of his latest four, all over this distance. He likes to settle back and run on, and he can be challenging late here. (8) SUNGANUI FIGHTER has mixed his form across his five appearances so far but if we go on his 2nd place at this distance at the start of March when he was on the speed, he has to be given a chance here. (6) THE SUN COMING is back in trip and comes out of a trial and along with (1) CHEONDUNGUI JILJU is another in the placing frame.
| Selections | (7) Best Freedom (4) Hwarangsan Jeonggi (8) Sunganui Fighter (6) The Sun Coming |
| Next Best | 1, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 7, 8 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(1) POWERFUL BATTLE comes in off a much-improved narrow 2nd place to Powerful Thunder, who went on to win again on Friday (albeit after the favourite unseated his rider). Drawing the same inside gate he can be on pace again and this time he will be a short price to go one better. There is one debut-maker. (5) FANTASTIC CITY is a half-brother to seven-time winner Baekduui Kkum and looked competent enough in the second of two trials, settling midfield and running on pleasingly enough. This is a nice race to start off in. (8) NOBLE WIND was 4th on debut over 1200M on April 26th and with some natural improvement, can build on that here. (2) SAENAE HILL and (9) HIGH TENSION others who could compete for the minors.
| Selections | (1) Powerful Battle (5) Fantastic City (8) Noble Wind (2) Saenae Hill |
| Next Best | 9, 10 |
| Fast Start | 1, 7, 8, 10 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies and mares only here. (1) VINCENT KATHY obliged on debut on April 12th with an all the way score over 1200M. She is up in class here and doesn’t get a weight break but from the inside gate she can lead again and win again. (11) X TEN got her maiden win three starts back over 1300M and has a 5th and a 3rd in two subsequent outings at this level. Seo Seung-un, in town for the big race later, is an interesting booking, and she will be close. (6) GANGHAN GAMMA was 3rd in that April 12th race, settling back early before being ridden up to behind the speed. She is yet to win in four attempts but that was her third consecutive placing, and she can measure up in this company. (9) CHEONG WOL and (7) MIGHTY CAP among others firmly in the hunt.
| Selections | (1) Vincent Kathy (11) X Ten (6) Ganghan Gamma (9) Cheong Wol |
| Next Best | 7, 3 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 7, 11 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(4) HWARYEOHAN SUNGAN enters off a very close 2nd place over a mile on April 19th. He also has a 3rd place at this distance and with Nam Jong-hyeok’s 2kg claim, he can make his breakthrough today. (8) SPACE GOLD has made progress across three outings so far with his best being his latest on March 1st when 4th over this distance. His times haven’t been quick, but he looks to have the potential for more and in this company, he can continue to get closer. (7) HANGANG BRAVO similarly comes in following is best to date when 4th over 1200M at the end of February. He comes in fresh following eleven weeks off and against this opposition should be aiming for better. (1) LIKE DRAGON and (2) GREAT POWER other minor money chances.
| Selections | (4) Hwaryeohan Sungan (8) Space Gold (7) Hangang Bravo (1) Like Dragon |
| Next Best | 2, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 7, 9 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(4) AESUNI got her maiden win in convincing fashion on March 1st, leading all the way. She came close to repeating the trick on April 11th on her first try at this class, ultimately coming home 2nd. She does come up 3.5kg in weight here, but that’s balanced by a good draw and she can win here. The one she’ll need to beat is (7) GEUMJEOKSAN. She got her win at start two over this distance last November and has held her own in three outings since at this class at 1300M and 1400M. She is another who likes to be on pace and cutting back in trip, she is a big danger. (9) PANGPANG DAERO and (10) MUNHAK FIGHTER came home 4th and 5th respectively when they raced each other at this class and distance on April 18th. They both come up 2.5kg in weight, but it shouldn’t stop either from being competitive here. Up in class last start winner (5) HAKSAN TAEPUNG can measure up.
| Selections | (4) Aesuni (7) Geumjeoksan (9) Pangpang Daero (10) Munhak Fighter |
| Next Best | 5, 8 |
| Fast Start | 4, 8, 9, 11 |
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
It’s hard to go past (3) YONGBI JJANG here. His maiden win had been coming, and it arrived on his first try at a mile on March 27th when on pace throughout. He then ran a close 2nd to Hey Bro as favourite on his first try at this class on April 17th when this time coming from off the pace. (7) VELOCI QUEEN is yet to win but finds herself up in class following three consecutive placings at 1200M and 1300M. She has been slow away each time so it is possible that the extended trip can be in her favour, and the light weight should make her competitive. (6) SEOBU DACING has plenty of experience at this level and after a few ordinary efforts, he hinted at a return to form when 3rd over 1300M on March 22nd, coming from a long way back. An apprentice claim keeps his weight light, and he can be a danger here. Veteran (1) TWOTWO FLYING is next best before the form falls off completely. Tanaka climbing on (2) TOHAMSAN DRAGON perhaps offers some place value.
| Selections | (3) Yongbi Jjang (7) Veloci Queen (6) Seobu Dancing (1) Twotwo Flying |
| Next Best | 2, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 3, 5 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
One of the most competitive races of the day. (1) BEOLGYO EMPEROR broke through at start four on March 29th when coming from behind the speed to score. He is up in class but down in weight and there could be more to come. (2) HOLY KAISER needs a line drawn through his latest, but he was a strong winner at this class and distance on March 2nd. Not for the first time this weekend, Seo Seung-un booked at Seoul (is he on maneuvers?) catches the eye, and from a good gate he is surely a chance. It’s been a long time since (11) J ONE POWER registered his sole win, but he is rarely far away and in this company, he can be there or thereabouts again. (5) WHIZ DREAM and (6) GEOMEUN SUP are the others who will be in the market in this tricky race.
| Selections | (1) Beolgyo Emperor (2) Holy Kaiser (11) J One Power (5) Whiz Dream |
| Next Best | 6, 7 |
| Fast Start | 5, 6, 7, 11 |
Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
Fillies and mares only. After two 2nd places and a win from her first three starts, (3) QUEEN MAKER had a hard time when sent around over a mile in the Luna Stakes, the first leg of the Triple Tiara, on April 5th but ran fairly enough for 9th of sixteen. Back in shallower water today she should be able to dispose of this lot. (1) KKEUTPAN YEOGEOL beat a few of these on her way to 3rd place at this class and distance on April 17th and up only 2kg, she can beat plenty again. (2) FLY TO THE MOON was better fancied in this race and while she remains a non-winner of fifteen, this is the kind of race that she won’t be far away in. Secong time starter (7) DAISY TIARA along with the inconsistent but clearly talented (4) NAKDEONG MYEONGJAK others in the frame.
| Selections | (3) Queen Maker (1) Kkeutpan Yeogeol (2) Fly To The Moon (7) Daisy Tiara |
| Next Best | 4, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 4, 8 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(3) GLOBAL CHAMP is a winner of three from five, including his latest on April 18th at this class over 1400M, when he settled midfield and ran on to beat a couple of today’s rivals. He comes up a full 4kg in weight, but he should be equal to that challenge and he can win again. (7) QUANTUM K has won at this class over 1200M as recently as February and enters off back-to-back 5th places at 1400M and 1300M. He tackles a mile for the first time but looks nicely in under an apprentice claim and he can be close. (2) ECLIPSE TANGO took nine goes to break through but has won two of his last three. He hasn’t raced since his January win but looked well in a trail at the end of April (8) BISANG BELL and (10) SAEROUN GUY among other chances.
| Selections | (3) Global Champ (7) Quantum K (2) Eclipse Tango (8) Bisang Bell |
| Next Best | 10, 4 |
| Fast Start | 3, 5, 7, 10 |
Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
Competitive race with plenty entering with recent form reading well. (5) DOCTOR CARRY won back-to-back races in February and March before running 2nd on is first try at this distance on April 10th when handy throughout. That brings him up in class again, but he has a 3kg weight break and he has as much chance as any. (2) TANTAN DAERO was a winner at this distance at class 5 level in March. He has a habit of blowing the start and that did for him last time on April 19th when he was well-backed but only managed 5th place. He comes into a better gate today and with a cleaner getaway, he can be a chance. (10) RICH ONE is up in class and in distance following a good score over a mile on Marc 29th and looks to have potential to measure up at this level. (9) NINETY PLUS and the up in class (6) BARBELL MOMO others who can challenge for the places.
| Selections | (5) Doctor Carry (2) Tantan Daero (10) Rich One (9) Ninety Plus |
| Next Best | 6, 3 |
| Fast Start | 3, 7, 8, 10 |
Seoul Race 7: Class Open (2000M) Special Weight B / Sports Chosun (KOR-Listed) / KRW 200 Million
This race as a rating cap of 85. (10) NO PROBLEM parted company with his jockey when exiting the gate on what was supposed to be his first try at class 1 on March 23rd. Prior to that though he won four in a row up to class 2 and 1800M. He steps up in trip and has a big weight, but he can win. (2) DAESEONG STAR is the tried and tested option. He is a two-time winner over 2000M including his latest on March 28th when racing handy throughout, he saw off plenty of today’s rivals. He draws well, CC stays on, and he will probably start as the betting favourite. (5) ECLIPSE THE KING returned from four months out to run 2nd over 1800M on April 12th at class 2 level. He should strip fitter for that run, he will be on pace and wile this is his first time at the distance, he can be in the finish. (13) MUSKET DAY and (4) EUNPA SARANG others in the frame.
| Selections | (10) No Problem (2) Daeseong Star (5) Eclipse The King (13) Musket Day |
| Next Best | 4, 11 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 10, 11 |
Busan Race 6: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(3) BUNKER BUSTER has won three from five including his latest two at 1400M and 1300M. That means that as well as coming up in trip, he is up rapidly in class, but he is down in weight, he draws well, and he can complete his hat-trick here. (10) WONDERFUL JONES was a well beaten favourite at this class and distance on April 12th when he started badly and was later found slightly lame in the off-hind. He has been back in work since April 24th and he is a two-time winner over a mile. (9) NEVER GIVE UP did nothing when sent for a class 2 spin over 2200M on May 3rd. He makes a quick return here for a far more suitable assignment having won at this class over 1800M in March. (7) SKY JILJU and (8) STAR FURY among other chances.
| Selections | (3) Bunker Buster (10) Wonderful Jones (9) Never Give Up (7) Sky Jilju |
| Next Best | 8, 2 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 7, 11 |
Seoul Race 8: Class Open (1200M) Weight for Age / SROA Chairman’s Sprint (KOR G2) / KRW 700 Million
The final leg of the Sprint Series. (3) VINCERO CAVALLO won both the Busan Ilbo and SBS Sports Sprints and comes in as favourite to complete a clean sweep for the second year running. The manner of those victories makes it very hard to oppose him and he can be ridden patiently again before launching his challenge. (13) FINAL K won five of his first seven starts, with his only defeats coming at Listed and Graded levels, before an injury ended his three-year-old campaign early. He came back into work last November but didn’t make it back to the races until April 18th when he came from a long way back to win over this distance at class 1. He should strip even fitter for that run and goes straight into contention among the elite. (9) WINNER CLEAR was 2nd in the Busan Ilbo and 5th in the SBS Sprint, having been sent off as favourite both times. All seen of his wins have come at 1200M and while it is hard to have him overturning the form on Vincero Cavallo, he may have a big run in him. SBS runner-up (12) WONDERFUL GROOM, along with 3rd placegetter (5) HAKSAN SPEED are others in the market.
| Selections | (3) Vincero Cavallo (13) Final K (9) Winner Clear (12) Wonderful Groom |
| Next Best | 5, 7 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 6, 10, 14 |
Busan Race 7: Class 1 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million
Wide open finale on the south coast. It’s not easy to return from almost a year out and run in class 1 for the first time but (9) BIWOL may just rise to the challenge. Last seen winning over this distance last July, he looked very well winning an April trial, Franco knows him well, and he may even be at an each-way price. (2) UNJU GUY was a class 2 winner over 1800M in March before finishing a front-running 5th on his first try at this level at 2000M in April 19th, beating a couple of these in the process. He draws well to get on the speed again and back at a distance he has two wins from three attempts at, last year’s Derby runner-up should be in the finish. (4) MAENGNYONG has won his latest two at this distance in fine style and takes a shy at the class 1 stumps. He has run times that can be competitive at the top level and he gets a big weight break. (1) ONEULISUNGAN and (8) KING ANYDAY among plenty of others who can have a say.
| Selections | (9) Biwol (2) Unju Guy (4) Maengnyong (1) Oneulisungan |
| Next Best | 8, 10 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 5, 8 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(7) DANAEUN KINGDOM was out between last April and this February and returned to winning ways at this class over 1700M on April 11th when settling midfield and running on. He is up 2.5kg in weight and stretches out to 1800M for the first time, but he is favoured to win again. (4) EXCELLENT MATTA doesn’t exactly win out of turn, but she is a regular placegetter, and she comes in having run 2nd and 3rd in her latest two, both at this class and distance. She’ll be on pace and in this a long way. (1) STUNNING FLATTER was 3rd behind Danaeun Kingdom on April 11th. He was less than a length in arrears and with a weight swing, he can be a danger. (6) NAVID and (8) SHINING ROAD others who can be considered on a place line.
| Selections | (7) Danaeun Kingdom (4) Excellent Matta (1) Stunning Flatter (6) Navid |
| Next Best | 8, 3 |
| Fast Start | 4, 7, 8, 10 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million
Fillies and mares only in the last. (5) CHEONMAHORYEONG got back-to-back winners at this class over 1200M in January and March before running 3rd on her first try at this class on April 19th, showing on pace throughout. She comes up to 1400M for the first time, but it can suit, and she can win. (8) CLUB Q has won three of her last four, and four in total from six tries at this distance She is up in class but down 2kg in weight and she shapes as a big danger. So too does (11) SEOBU CHAMP. She rounded out last year with a December win at this class and distance and has been working back towards another with a close 2nd place on April 19th. The wide gate shouldn’t be a problem, and she can be in the finish again. (10) RISING MO and (9) DIANA others in the frame.
| Selections | (5) Cheonmahoryeong (8) Club Q (11) Seobu Champ (10) Rising Mo |
| Next Best | 9, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 7, 9 |
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