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:
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.
| Selections | (5) Stunning Sket (1) Storm Crush (10) Baramgaebi (7) Nine Spear |
| Next Best | 4, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 6, 7,10 |
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.
| Selections | (7) Cheongsan Dolpung (4) Yeonggwangui Sky (2) Geoljak Tiara (6) Black Specter |
| Next Best | 3, 9 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 5, 7 |
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.
| Selections | (3) Wind Sword (5) Black Jilju (4) Magic Sweetie (2) B.K Magic |
| Next Best | 8, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 6, 8 |
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
After finishing 2nd on debut over 1200M in April, (5) POWER TIGER was an all the way winner when stepped up to this distance on May 3rd. He is up in class today and while he doesn’t get a weight break, he draws well enough and in this small field, he really should win again. (8) BEOLMAUI LAND got his breakthrough at start number three back in December at 1200M. He then had surgery for a chip fracture, but he came back into work in late April and he looked well enough when 2nd to Classic winner My Dream Day in a trial, to suggest he can go very well first up. (2) SINCHEON FREEDOM was a big priced 3rd at this class and distance on May 15th and from on the pace can go close again. (7) SWEET POWER and (4) TIP TAP are the other two who will be in the place market.
| Selections | (5) Power Tiger (8) Beolmaui Land (2) SIncheon Freedom (7) Sweet Power |
| Next Best | 4, 6 |
| Fast Start | 3, 5, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(5) BEAT FRESH is yet to win in five but has four top four finishes and comes up in class following a close 2nd over 1300M on April 26th when he led until close to home. He is down in weight, Seo Seung-un gets on, and he will be favourite to win here. (7) BLISS STAR and (6) MANGEUM CROWN finished 2nd and 3rd respectively when they raced one another at this class and distance on April 26th. Both are maidens with plenty of near misses between them and both can be challenging again with Mangeum Crown getting a 2kg weight swing which can help him narrow the four-lengths he was beaten by Bliss Star in that race. (10) MG FIRST and (3) GRAND KWAEMA among others in at least the placing frame.
| Selections | (5) Beat Fresh (7) Bliss Star (6) Mangeum Crown (10) MG First |
| Next Best | 3, 4 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 7, 10 |
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(8) DAEGILUI KKUM got her maiden win two starts back, leading all the way over 1400M, before running 2nd on her first try at this class over the same trip on May 8th. He likes to race on pace and in this small field he can get forward and can go all the way. (1) DOCTOR CHAMP is yet to win in seven but got promoted to this class with back-to-back 2nd places in January and February and while he weakened from on pace to 7th when tried at 1400M for his class 5 bow, he recovered to be 2nd again on April 3rd back at 1200M. He comes in here fresh after nine weeks off, and he can be a danger. Those two will top most tickets. (4) GUKDAE HERO has been ordinary in his latest two but has won at this trip and was 3rd three outings back which is enough to make him a place chance here. Stick a pin in it for the rest. (5) CHOEGANG LOUIS and maybe (7) BLACK WAVE.
| Selections | (8) Daegilui Kkum (1) Doctor Champ (4) Gukdae Hero (5) Choegang Louis |
| Next Best | 7, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 6, 8 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(6) MIGHTY CHOICE was a beaten favourite over this class and distance on May 2nd, showing close to the pace but running 3rd, albeit beaten less than half a length in a tight finish. He’ll be on pace again, Maia stays on, and he is worth another chance. (10) SLING STAR is a winner of four from seven, including his latest three, with two coming at this class over 1700M. He has the steadier of 58kg on his back today, as well as the ever-awkward outside gate for the mile start, but a fourth in a row shouldn’t be ruled out. (1) TAPDINE won that May 2nd race, settling back and coming from off the pace. There is a 2kg weight swing in favour of Mighty Choice this time, but he can be close again. (2) RAON SAPPHIRE, up in class and seeking three in a row is also a chance as is, on a place line, (9) GLOBAL PHAROAH.
| Selections | (6) Mighty Choice (10) Sling Star (1) Tapdine (2) Raon Sapphire |
| Next Best | 9, 5 |
| Fast Start | 5, 6, 7, 10 |
Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(1) MYSTIK JIN is up in class following a win and a 3rd place from his latest two, at 1400M and a mile. He tackles two turns for the first time but he comes down a full 4.5kg in weight which should bring him right into contention here. (2) POWER TIME has only been ordinary in his latest three, but he looks nicely in here and he was a class and distance winner as recently as February and can offer some each-way appeal in this company. (5) SWORD WING and (6) BARBELL MOMO were both class 5 winners over 1800M two outings back before both ran 7th on their respective first tries at this class. Expect better from the pair of them today. (7) EUNSEONG YEONGUNG is another place chance.
| Selections | (1) Mystik Jin (2) Power Time (5) Sword Wing (6) Barbell Momo |
| Next Best | 7, 3 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 3, 6 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(7) POWER JILJU had been working towards his second win, and it arrived at start nine over this distance on May 10th. He had an apprentice claim that day, so despite coming up in class, he also comes up 2.5kg in weight but in this company, that shouldn’t be enough to stop him from winning again. (4) KHAN MAX was 3rd at big odds over this class and distance on April 25th and warrants more respect today. (1) LIGHT WING is a winner of two of his last three, most recently over this distance on April 11th, and while that brings him up rapidly in class, he is down in weight and coming in fresh after eight weeks off, he can measure up. (5) BEST THOR and (6) AMAZING ROCK are others in the placing frame.
| Selections | (7) Power Jilju (4) Khan Max (1) Light Wing (5) Best Thor |
| Next Best | 6, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 4, 8 |
Busan Race 6: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(2) SAENAE HUNTER returned from nine months out on April 26th to win at class 5 level over 1300M, leading all the way around. He comes up in class here and while he only comes down 1kg in weight, he draws a better gate and should strip even fitter for that run with every chance of backing up. (6) VEGAS JEONTU is an import, who began at this level and has placed three times from four starts. He jumps up in trip today and with Tanaka on for the first time, he can be a danger. (9) SHINING ONE Is up in class having won over 1400M on May 1st over this distance and he can measure up in this company. (10) CHARMING STELLAR and (7) BROWN ROOKIE are others to consider on a place line.
| Selections | (2) Saenae Hunter (6) Vegas Jeontu (9) Shining One (10) Charming Stellar |
| Next Best | 7, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 8, 9 |
Seoul Race 8: Class Open (2000M) Special Weight A / Minister’s Cup (KOR G2) / KRW 700 Million
The final leg of the Triple Crown and while a sweep isn’t on the line and the Derby winner isn’t even running, there is still plenty of interest. (7) FANTASTIC FORCE has only won once but he was doing his best work late in the Korean Derby when he ran a strong 2nd. He should thrive at the 2000M and he can win. (6) FUNNY WILD won the Cup Mile, and he did well to stay on for 3rd place in the Korean Derby having used up a lot of energy on a strong pace with ultimate winner Hwang Geum Eo Jang. The final furlong was challenging for him and the step up in trip is likely to be too, so while he has tons of talent and may well win, the fact that the Korean racing media has unanimously put him on top means he could be too short in the market and perhaps worth taking on. (3) MR. TAEYANG didn’t take part in either of the first two legs of the series but is a winner of three from five most recently at class 4 level over 1800M om Derby Day. The 2000M can suit. (9) KING MASTER and (12) DOCTOR CHRIS will be the others in the market.
| Selections | (7) Fantastic Force (6) Funny Wild (3) Mr. Taeyang (9) King Master |
| Next Best | 12, 2 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 8, 9, 10 |
Busan Race 7: Class 2 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million
(2) RACE MAN comes back to 1200M, a distance over which he has three wins, and four runner-up finishes from nine attempts. He doesn’t have an apprentice claim today so he is up in the weights but that’s balanced by a good draw to be on pace and over his favoured trip, he is the one to beat. (4) WORLD LIST CAT was an on pace winner in a Korea Sprint winning time at this class and distance on May 3rd. She is up 3.5kg in weight and it is safe enough to say the track won’t be playing quite so fast this time around, but she warrants respect. (6) BEOLMAUI ANGEL is another who may appreciate dropping back to the distance over which he has scored all of his four wins. (9) BLACK SPRING and (7) GOLDEN AIR among others in the frame.
| Selections | (2) Race Man (4) World List Cat (6) Beolmaui Angel (9) Black Spring |
| Next Best | 7, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 4, 10 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
After three consecutive 3rd place finishes, (5) GWANAKSAN RICKEY got his breakthrough at start five over this distance on May 2nd. He comes up in class but is a full 5kg down in weight and that should keep him nice and competitive here. Is the second coming of (11) LALA K upon us? Now a five-year-old, he returned from six months out to run a very solid 3rd at this class on May 3rd. He comes back in class; we know that the wide draw won’t give him a problem and the one time viral sensation can go close. (10) HAKSAN DARK HORSE was a winner at this class and distance on April 25th and while he has the steadier of 58kg on his back today, he is not to be dismissed. (2) HERO SOCKS and (6) SMILING PRINCE are other chances.
| Selections | (5) Gwanaksan Rickey (11) Lala K (10) Haksan Dark Horse (2) Hero Socks |
| Next Best | 6, 4 |
| Fast Start | 3, 7, 8, 9 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 2 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million
(1) MORE THAN JOKE is a winner of five from eleven and has run 3rd in both his tries to date at this class over 1400M and 1200M. Two of his wins have been over this distance and under a fair weight and from the inside gate, he is the one to beat here. The main danger is in the adjoining gate. (2) KING HONOR came from midfield to win at this class and distance on May 3rd, beating a couple of today’s rivals in the process. He has plenty of weight to contend with here but the veteran can be in the finish again. (11) BLUE LEMON could only manage 5th two weeks ago, but going on her 2nd place at this class and distance in April, she can be given another chance here. (8) CAPTAIN P.K and (5) REMEMBER AGAIN are the other main chances.
| Selections | (1) More Than Joke (2) King Honor (11) Blue Lemon (8) Captain P.K |
| Next Best | 5, 10 |
| Fast Start | 1, 8, 9, 10 |
Horse Racing in Korea 