For the first time since February, there is no Listed or Graded action at either Seoul or Busan. There is still plenty to get stuck into though with 10 races at Seoul from 10.35 to 17:55 and 7 from Busan between 11.25 and 16:55. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Ten fillies and one colt in this maiden. (8) DREAM DIA looked set to breakthrough when sent off as favourite over 1400M but ultimately ended up in 3rd place having been handy throughout. That was her second consecutive time as the beaten favourite, but in this company, she warrants one more chance. (11) SPICY JERRY was a fair 4th on debut over 1200M in June 6th from a similarly wide gate to today. She should have come on for that run, and she can get closer today. The solitary colt, (1) PERFECT GAME, was disappointing from a wide gate when well supported last time out, but going on his 3rd place two outings back, has to be considered again. (9) CHARON EDGE and (10) EVER LOVELY are place chances.
| Selections | (8) Dream Dia (11) Spicy Jerry (1) Perfect Game (9) Charon Edge |
| Next Best | 10, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 5, 9 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(11) HWARANGSAN JEONGGI has drawn a blank in sixteen starts, but he is getting closer with his best results coming in his latest four with two 4th places sandwiched between a 2nd and a 3rd, the latter when beating a couple of today’s rivals over 1400M on May 17th. He wasn’t close in a previous try at this distance but could very well be ready for another go. It’s not an intimidating field. (9) THE SUN COMING has five finishes between 3rd and 5th and while he was behind Hwarangsan Jeonggi last time out, he shapes as a rival. (8) MAX MAN returned from five months out on May 16th and having run a fair 5th over 1400M, can strip fitter today. (10) SPICE BAND and (5) CLUB MAN are the other main chances.
| Selections | (11) Hwarangsan Jeonggi (9) The Sun Coming (8) Max Man (10) Spice Band |
| Next Best | 5, 7 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 7, 8 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Since returning from six months out, (3) P.D SPECIAL has recorded a 2nd and a 3rd in two starts back, most recently beating a few of today’s rivals in a front-running effort over 1300M on May 22nd. Third up, he can be peaking, he draws well to be on pace again, and he can win here. There is just one debut maker, but (10) GEUMA STUNNING ran well for an on pace 3rd in a trial in a quick time, and despite the wide draw, this is a nice race to debut in. (1) DIMENSION has had a stop-start career so far with just two starts last autumn but registering a 2nd place in the second of them over this distance in December. He hasn’t raced since and didn’t offer too many clues in a May trial but from the inside gate he should be a chance here. (7) DUBAI DREAM and (5) BORYEONG THE QUEEN, the other chances.
| Selections | (3) P.D Special (10) Geuma Stunning (1) Dimension (7) Dubai Dream |
| Next Best | 5, 4 |
| Fast Start | 3, 5, 8, 10 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(7) EVERY TIME raced three times in late summer and autumn last year, finishing 2nd in all three of them up to this class and 1400M. He hasn’t been in action since the end of October, but he looked very well when blitzing a trial on May 28th from on pace in a quick time, and if he brings that form to the races, he will take some beating. (5) SUNGLASS hasn’t quite lived up to the promise shown in her impressive debut win and she wasn’t great over 1300M last time out. Down in trip and down in weight and with Luis on for the first time, she can go close. (8) AESUNI beat Sunglass as the pair ran 2nd and 3rd at this class and distance two starts back. She’ll be on pace and should be in this a long way. (6) HAEMAJI and (2) SILLAUI FIGHTER, perhaps the best or an ordinary rest.
| Selections | (7) Every Time (5) Sunglass (8) Aesuni (6) Haemaji |
| Next Best | 2, 3 |
| Fast Start | 3, 5, 7, 8 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(4) IT’S LIT overcame a slow start to run 2nd on debut over 1200M on May 15th, well beaten by a good winner. He should have come on for that run, the step up in trip can suit, and he can go one better today. (8) GAON PERFECT has shown progress across three starts so far with his latest his best when 2nd on his first try at this distance on May 24th, running on from midfield. In this company he can be a little further forward a little earlier, and he is a big danger. (5) SUNDAY QUEEN has also got better over three outings. She comes back in trip following a 4th place over a mile on May 22nd and can continue to get closer. (1) WORLD TREE and (7) CHAMPUI YEONGGWANG others in the placing frame.
| Selections | (4) It’s Lit (8) Gaon Perfect (5) Sunday Queen (1) World Tree |
| Next Best | 7, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 5, 6 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Competitive race. We’ll take a chance on (6) SUPER TTANGKONG, who was 4th on debut and then a comfortable winner at start two over 1200M on February 1st, leading all the way. She hasn’t raced since, but she looked very well when 2nd in a trial on June 4th, leading again, and she can be given every chance first up. (9) THE SUN MONSTER is yet to win but got promoted to this class with back-to-back 2nd places over 1200M in March and then ran 3rd over 1300M on April 25th. She comes in fresh after eight weeks off and is the danger. (1) SAMJEONG LADY is two starts into a comeback following three months out and was 3rd over this class and distance on May 30th. She should strip even fitter here and be close. (10) AFLEET RUN and (5) MUHAN ARGO others in line for the minors.
| Selections | (6) Super Ttangkong (9) The Sun Monster (1) Samjeong Lady (10) Afleet Run |
| Next Best | 5, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 6, 10 |
Busan Race 3: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(7) SKY WIN WIN won back-to-back races in April and May over this distance at class 4 level and then ran 3rd on his first try at this class on May 22nd alongside plenty of others who return here. He likes to race on pace so today’s draw is better, and he can win. He will need to overturn the form on (8) HONORED KHAN, who was 2nd in that May 22nd race. That continued an excellent run of form for the five-year-old having won at this class and distance on May 1st, and while he continues to come up in the weights, he can be in the finish again. (6) FLYING THE KHAN is up in class after a close on pace win over this distance on May 10th and he can measure up in this company. (1) UNJU CHALLENGE and (2) CRAZY ARMY others in the hunt.
| Selections | (7) Sky Win Win (8) Honored Khan (6) Flying The Khan (1) Unju Challenge |
| Next Best | 2, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 6, 7 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies (and one mare) only here. (7) NAOL AURORA has raced four times and has never been worse than 3rd, with her win coming in a maiden over this distance on April 26th when leading all the way. She was 3rd on her first try at this class on May 23rd and she can win here. (4) CHEONG WOL beat three of these on her way to 2nd place at this class and distance on May 17th, coming from off the pace. That was her first try over this trip and she can be close today. (5) GOLDEN DIVA beat Cheong Wol when winning at this class over 1300M on April 11th and can be a player today. (10) POMADE and (8) GLORY DAY are other chances who can compete for the places.
| Selections | (7) Naol Aurora (4) Cheong Wol (5) Golden Diva (10) Pomade |
| Next Best | 8, 2 |
| Fast Start | 5, 6, 7, 8 |
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(8) AEGIS CHEONMA was 3rd on debut before winning at start two over 1200M on May 10th when he led all the way around. He comes up in class but is down 2.5kg in weight and with Seo Seung-un staying up, he can lead again and he can win again. (4) CHOEGANG TRIPLE returned from eight months off and beat three of today’s rivals when 3rd at this class and distance on May 22nd. He should strip fitter for that run and under the same weight, he can match or better that here. (11) PERFECT POINT is yet to win but comes up in class after a few too many near-misses. He comes down significantly in weight and that can make him competitive here. (6) DAEROUI BIT and (5) POWER HIT among other chances.
| Selections | (8) Aegis Cheonma (4) Choegang Triple (11) Perfect Point (6) Daeroui Bit |
| Next Best | 5, 7 |
| Fast Start | 3, 6, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
Since getting his maiden win five starts back, (7) GHOST CHRYSOL has held his form and enters having run 2nd at this class and distance on May 24th when coming from off the pace. That was his fourth runner-up finish over the 1800M so there may be a concern that he is a bit of a non-winner at the trip, but he has a great opportunity to change that today. (9) BLACK SIDAE was 5th in that May 24th race and beat Ghost Chrysol when 2nd himself two outings back on April 19th. He has won just once in twenty-four starts but has seventeen top five finishes and shapes as the danger here. (1) HEEMANGBAND was a winner at this class and distance as recently as May 9th and can be competitive. (6) TAPDINE and (8) FLYING CARAVANE are also place chances.
| Selections | (7) Ghost Chrysol (9) Black Sidae (1) Heemangband (6) Tapdine |
| Next Best | 8, 3 |
| Fast Start | 3, 6 ,8, 9 |
Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Competitive race. (6) BORYEONGUI SINYONG comes out of the Luna Stakes and Korean Oaks, and while she finished down the field in both, she was going well prior to that with three consecutive 3rd place finishes at this class up to 1400M. She comes in under a fair weight, she draws well, and she has every chance. (5) POWERFUL BATTLE took a few goes to figure things out but was an on-pace winner over 1300M on May 17th. He is up in class and in distance, but he looks to have more progress in him. (9) WANNABE WITH YOU comes in off a 3rd place at this class and distance on May 29th when on pace throughout. She stays under a light weight and can be in the finish again. (11) DOCTOR SOLAR and (2) QUEEN THE GOLD others to consider on a place line.
| Selections | (6) Boryeongui Sinyong (5) Powerful Battle (9) Wannabe With You (11) Doctor Solar |
| Next Best | 2, 7 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 6, 7 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
After three consecutive dominant wins, (6) DI NE came unstuck in the Sports Seoul and then the KRA Cup Mile. He returned to springing at this class and distance on May 16th and ran 2nd after overcoming a bad start. If he can get the early part of the race right as well this time, he can return to winning ways. (2) ROYAL SOCKS was 3rd in that May 16th race, continuing a very good run of form that saw him win at this class and distance in April. The same apprentice keeps his weight low and he is a big danger. (10) GUKDAE FIGHTER was 5th behind Royal Socks in April and 3rd on his latest at this class and distance on May 9th, coming from off the pace. An apprentice claim takes his weight down and he can be in the mix again. Down in trip (3) BREEDO SIRIS can improve while (5) BARO DANAEUN is another possible on a place line.
| Selections | (6) Di Ne (2) Royal Socks (10) Gukdae Fighter (3) Breedo Siris |
| Next Best | 5, 4 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 8, 9 |
Busan Race 6: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(3) CHARMING BOSS has had the one trial for a victory on May 21 by four-lengths and this American bred son of Engage should go close on that effort for Franco da Silva and Bart Rice. He also carries four-and-a-half kilograms less than the horse that brings the best raced form in the shape of (9) LIGHTNING FORCE who comes up to Class 4 level following a seven-length course and distance Class 5 victory. He has a decent weight of fifty-seven kilograms however, but he has ability and Thomas Gillespie is firing on all cylinders at present and Seo Seung-un has ridden him once for a victory. (7) ONE WAY ROAD and (6) DRAGON DEVIL rate next with (2) RONALD DUCK, recent trial winner (5) MR NINE and (11) SELL LIKE.
| Selections | (3) Charming Boss (9) Lightning Force (7) One Way Road (6) Dragon Devil |
| Next Best | 2, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 11 |
Seoul Race 8: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
Wide open race so we might as well take a chance on the returning (1) CHARMING QUEEN at what will probably be decent odds. She won three races up to class 4 and 1800M before going lame. She has been back in work since April and looked well when 2nd in a trial at the start of this month and while match fitness will need to be taken on trust, she could pick up from where she left off. (10) MAGIC STRONG was a winner over a mile two starts back at class 4 level before running 2nd at the same distance on his first try at this class on May 30th. He has won at this trip before and has every chance. (4) NAVY CAPTAIN has a 5th and a 4th at class 2 level from his latest two and despite taking a big weight hike to drop back into his own grade, he should be close. (11) CHEONMAHORYEONG and (8) TEUKGEUP PARTY others in the hunt.
| Selections | (1) Charming Queen (10) Magic Strong (4) Navy Captain (11) Cheonmahoryeong |
| Next Best | 8, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 6, 11 |
Busan Race 7: Class 2 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million
(1) GEUMA GUTTY strikes a winnable Class 2 contest after finishing not far behind the likes of Oasis Red, Young Skywalker, and Unju Guy at his last few runs along with a fourth to Big Musical Star over 2200M in course record time on an extremely fast track. If he manages the drop back in trip to the sharper 1600M he can break through at this grade despite a decent weight on his back. (8) MAGARITA has taken on the best of her sex at her last couple of runs and going on her third over the course, distance, and grade three back she can go close. (2) AJANTA was behind Magarita in the Grade Three KNN Cup when resuming from a spell. Her previous run saw her finish fourth in last year’s Grade Three Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup. (4) EOHWADUNGDUNG faces the biggest test of his career and drops in trip but is a good front-runner. (6) BINNANEUNGIL and (5) AMAZING KHAN are good chances also in a competitive finale.
| Selections | (1) Geuma Gutty (8) Magarita (2) Ajanta (4) Eohwadungdung |
| Next Best | 6, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 2 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million
(4) ACE K has weakened in both his starts at this class having led both over 1800M. He has never tackled the mile before but the slight cutback in trip can suit and if he can get to the lead from a good draw, this time he may not be caught. (10) TAP TIER comes up in class following a very close 2nd place over 1400M on June 6th. He is down slightly in weight, the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem given his running style, and the step up in trip can also be to his liking. The recent form of the rest is patchy. (3) USEUNG CONCORD’s rating is on the slide, but he ran well enough when 6th of eleven over 1400M a month ago to suggest he can arrest that here against limited opposition for the level. (1) MONTAUK CHAT and (5) SUPREME SOCKS other chances.
| Selections | (4) Ace K (10) Tap Tier (3) Useung Concord (1) Montauk Chat |
| Next Best | 5, 6 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 5, 7 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(3) MUCHO MACHO RAPIDO was an improved 2nd at start four at this class and distance on May 16th, leading for part of the way. He comes up 2kg in weight but that’s balanced by a much better draw, and he can go one better here. (2) SAHARA KHAN has had a very interrupted career so far but is a winner of two from four. He races for the first time since a 4th place over 1300M back in March, and he can threaten here. (4) FEDAYKIN ran 6th on debut in April and improved to a close 3rd over this distance on May 24th. He’ll be on pace again today and he could make his breakthrough. (10) NAMSAN MINAM and (11) JEONGWANGSEOKHWA others in the placing frame.
| Selections | (3) Mucho Macho Rapido (2) Sahara Khan (4) Fedaykin (10) Namsan Minam |
| Next Best | 11, 7 |
| Fast Start | 4, 6, 8, 10 |
Horse Racing in Korea 