There may be no Triple Crown on the line and there isn’t even a Derby winner on show as Hwang Geum Eo Jjang, winner of May’s Classic, wasn’t declared for the race after a piece of work on Wednesday morning. Nevertheless, the sixteen-strong field looks very competitive and full of intrigue.
Favourite is likely to be FUNNY WILD. The Bayern colt won the KRA Cup Mile (1600M KOR-G2) with an on pace effort and was accordingly sent off as favourite for the Korean Derby (1800M KOR-G1) on May 3rd. That day he had to contend with gate fourteen, but he made it to the front and ultimately ran 3rd. He has won over 1800M although he hasn’t always been convincing in the final furlong, and Seo Seung-un will have to make sure he stays the extended trip
That step up in trip could conceivably bring even more improvement out of FANTASTIC FORCE. He came from a long way back to run 5th in the Cup Mile and then 2nd in the Derby. He has only won once but the Lim Keum-man trained runner looks to be seeking further and under Franco Da Silva, he may well oblige.
KING MASTER skipped the Cup Mile but was a revelation when 4th in the Derby and is another who could relish the 2000M. MR. TAEYANG and CLUTCH MAGIC missed both the Cup Mile and Derby but are among plenty of others who can make an impact.
The Minister’s Cup is race 8 on the 10-race Sunday program at Seoul with a local post time of 16:30. Here is a run down of the full field:
1. THE EXCELLENT – Has won his latest two most recently over 1400M at class 5 level. Didn’t go well in previous try around two turns but has come on since then. Big ask here though.
2. CLUTCH MAGIC – All the way winner over 1700M at class 4 on May 2nd making it three wins from five. Looks a progressive type and while this is his sternest test, he can be on pace from a good draw and be in this a long way.
3. MR. TAEYANG – Strong winner over 1800M on May 2nd, settling behind the speed and proving too strong. 2nd behind King Master two starts back. Getting better with each run, and he can be a danger.
The Triple Crown series draws to a close on Sunday and while there isn’t a sweep on the line, or even a Derby winner in the field, the Minister’s Cup (2000M KOR-G2) has drawn a full field of sixteen three-year-old colts and it should be a very tricky puzzle. There are 10 races at Seoul on Sunday between 10:35 and 17:55 as well as 6 at Busan from 11:25 to 16:55. Here are the previews:
My Dream Day thwarted a Triple Crown bid a year ago (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Competitive opening maiden. (5) STUNNING SKET came from off the pace to run a strong 2nd on debut over 1200M on April 25th. He should have come on for the run, the additional half furlong can suit, and he can win. (1) STORM CRUSH was 5th on debut and then 2nd at start number two over this distance on April 11th. She too has been doing her best work late so can continue to improve at 1300M and she should be very fit. (10) BARAMGAEBI has two 3rd places and a 4th from three outings to date and while he needs to contend with the widest gate, he can be there or thereabouts again. (7) NINE SPEAR and (4) DUKE SOCKS are other place chances.
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Nine fillies and one colt in this maiden. (4) STUNNING BOLT has been around the mark in her recent outings with a 3rd and a 4th from her latest two, both over this distance. She has generally settled back and run on but has raced on pace before and with little early speed in this race and from a good draw, she can be further forward than usual and she can win. Solitary colt (9) SONNY K ran a fair 4th on debut over 1200M. He was well back behind the placings but should have come on for the run and can improve here. (5) NIGHT CAPTAIN enters off back-to-back 4th place finishes in contrasting styles and can be matching or bettering those in this company. (10) AREUMDAUN BIT and (8) YEONGDONG STAR are others to consider on a place line.
Selections
(4) Stunning Bolt (9) Sonny K (5) Night Captain (10) Areumdaun Bit
Next Best
8, 1
Fast Start
4, 7, 8, 10
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
After a 3rd, a 4th and most recently a 2nd place when stepped up to this distance for the first time on April 26th, (1) WIN NOW could be ready to do just that. In his latest two, he has got a long way back from wide draws but should be further forward today and can be the one to beat. (6) OVER RAINBOW has mixed his form across five starts so far with his 3rd place over 1200M two outings back his best. His racing style suggests that the extended trip today can suit. (9) GRAND HERO was much improved when a close 2nd over 1300M on May 3rd and can continue to make progress here. (2) NICE POWER is another one in the placing hunt while watch the market with debut-maker (8) OASIS TIME. His trial didn’t stand out but his stable is known for sending their juveniles around big distances very early and often pick up a few wins.
Selections
(1) Win Now (6) Over Rainbow (9) Grand Hero (2) Nice Power
Next Best
8, 5
Fast Start
2, 5, 9, 10
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(7) CHEONGSAN DOLPUNG is yet to win but has never finished any worse than 5th and has four runner-up finishes, including his latest on May 2nd when beating three of today’s rivals when suffering a narrow reverse. He is up 2.5kg on that but in this company, today can be his day. (4) YEONGGWANGUI SKY returned from four months out in April and has since run 5th twice, most recently on May 9th when beating a couple who re-oppose today. An apprentice takes 3kg off his back and third-up he can be peaking fitness-wise. (2) GEOLJAK TIARA was 5th to Cheongsan Dolpung’s 2nd on May 2nd and from a good gate and under a very light weight, she can get closet today. (6) BLACK SPECTER and (3) DAEWONYONGMA others who are perhaps better than their respective latest outings suggest.
Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(3) WIND SWORD enters off two 3rd places and a 5th from his last three outings, all at this class and distance and each time coming from off the pace. He doesn’t get an apprentice claim here but he beat a couple of today’s rivals last time and he can beat all of them today. The apprentice claim goes to (5) BLACK JILJU. He comes in off back-to-back 3rd place finishes at this class and distance, most recently in a very quick time on May 3rd when racing on pace. On that form, she is a winning chance here. (4) MAGIC SWEETIE got a long way back before running on last time out. She was a class and distance winning in January and was 2nd in March and can be given another chance here. (2) B.K MAGIC and (8) SAMJEONG TODAY others in the placing frame.
Seoul Race 4 Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(10) STEPPING STONE won a trial and then won on debut on April 25th over 1200M, starting steadily but then quickly ridden up to be handy. He is up in class but down 3kg in weight, the additional half furlong can suit, and he can win again. (6) P N S NALA returned from seven months out to run a fair 5th over this distance on May 17th, showing on pace before weakening late. He should strip fitter for that run and can get closer today. (3) JOY CHEONHA is yet to win in fourteen but has seven top five finishes, including a last start 4th on May 2nd. He has placed twice over this distance and well-drawn and under a lightweight, he can be in the mix again. (2) WONDERFUL SPIRIT and (1) LUCKY SUNNY are the other main chances.
Selections
(10) Stepping Stone (6) P N S Nala (3) Joy Cheonha (2) Wonderful Spirit
Next Best
1, 8
Fast Start
3, 4, 5, 9
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 10 races from 10:35 to 17:55. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(4) MY DOLPUNG is a Seo In-seok prepared Old Fashioned filly that has trialled three times with the most recent of those resulting in a third on May 21 beaten a length. She can go close on debut as can (5) DONGJIN BIRYUONG who is by Mischieviously and is from the stables of Moon Byeong-ki and Johan Victoire is on board. His best trial was his latest and that was a second place. (10) SPICY JERRY has trialled twice for a seventh and fourth and is trained by Lee Shin-woo and is a daughter of Indie Band. The Luigi Riccardi prepared (3) DYNAMIC FORCE rates next over (11) P.K. BEST and (6) TIGER REVENGER.
Selections
(4) My Dolpung (5) Dongjin Biryuong (10) Spicy Jerry (3) Dynamic Force
Next Best
11, 6
Fast Start
4, 5, 6, 9, 11
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(4) GLOBAL LAND has been a beaten favourite on a couple of occasions but in better maidens than this and she strikes a winnable race here so she can break through. (3) SPICE BAND drops down in trip after making a mid-race move to take the lead last start before finishing fourth. She is getting better and can go close. (7) THE QUEEN ROSE made up some ground to finish fifth last time which was the best run of her career to date. (9) TAEGEUK WANGJA has also come from well back at his last two to run third and fourth respectively and rates next over (6) PNS WORK and (5) MR.CREDIT, which is down in trip by 300M on his last two.
Selections
(4) Global Land (3) Spice Band (7) The Queen Rose (9) Taegeuk Wangja
Next Best
6, 5
Fast Start
2, 4, 5, 7
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(2) POINT I was midfield on debut before finishing second on May 9 beaten two-and-a-half lengths and that form is good enough to go very close to winning this. (5) RACE DIVA has gotten closer in each of her three runs to date and has been behind some smart winners each time and she gets the chance to run into the placings for the first time if not win. (3) POWER MAGIC is another that has been just behind the placegetters in three starts and is another that can place for the first time let alone win. (11) EVER LOVELY draws wide but rates next over (10) PLAY STAY and (1) RAON FLARE.
Selections
(2) Point I (5) Race Diva (3) Power Magic (11) Ever Lovely
Next Best
10, 1
Fast Start
2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(4) MUNHAK FIGHTER has only won once from thirteen attempts but has only missed the top five twice so he is consistent and after finishing second in two of his past three he can be involved in the finish once more and potentially get the prize. (2) BANK LINE was midfield at big odds in her first run at this class last time but ran a subsequent winner to a length at her previous start so she is worth being given a chance. (8) HOT FEVER comes to this grade for the first time after back-to-back second places in maidens. (5) HAPPY TOGETHER beat Bank Line at her only victory back in January and will be around the mark with (11) CHALLENGE SOCKS and (6) SMART MARU next best.
Selections
(4) Munhak Fighter (2) Bank Line (8) Hot Fever (5) Happy Together
Next Best
11, 6
Fast Start
1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Horse Racing in Korea 