Author: gyongmaman

Lim Dae Gyu Remembered

August 11 marks one year since the death of jockey Lim Dae Gyu in a race at Seoul Race Park. The horse he was riding, Crown Forever, broke down at the end of the back straight. The race ambulance was on the scene immediately but Lim died en-route to Anyang hospital. He was 42.

Lim Dae Gyu debuted in April 1987 along with the likes of Park Tae Jong, Kim Hey Sung, Chun Chang Ki and Kim Ok Sung. In a career with over 5000 rides, Lim rode 632 winners with 578 second and 567 third placed finshes, strike rates of 11.8% and 22.6% respectively.

Among these were victories in most of Korea’s top races. He won the Korean Derby in 2002 on Haeam Janggun and The Oaks in 2005 on Gamun Nyeonggwang and also had wins in The Ttukkseom Cup and Minister of Agriculture Cup. In 1994 he won the year end Grand Prix Race on Ji Goo Ryeok, a horse he would go on to win the KRA Chairman’s Race on the following year.

During the past weekend’s racing, there were tributes to Lim Dae Gyu in the paddock and by the rails at Seoul Race Park. A video of his 1994 Grand Prix win can be seen here.

Pick Me Up Stateside

The KRA’s first experiment at sending domestic horses overseas is underway, with six year old Pick Me Up currently at Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland. The Busan based horse flew out last month and is scheduled to train and race in the US until December.

Pick Me Up [Time Star – Skiptamaloo (Northern State)] debuted in 2005 and has raced at Busan 40 times with a record of 7 wins, 12 seconds and 9 thirds with KRW 477Million in prize money won. The last of those wins came over a year ago, although he has placed in all his 2008 outings.

Weekend Round-up

Jeolho Chance’s Oaks win was unquestionably the main event but, on a sweltering afternoon, there was plenty of other action at both Seoul and Busan:

– Seoul’s feature handicap was won by hot favourite Good Day (1.6), the Cho Kyoung Ho ridden four year old leading from start to finish of the 2000 metre race, ultimately winning by two lengths from Heukjo Bisang (6.7). It’s three consecutive wins for Good Day and 12 from 16 in his career to date.

– New jockey Kim Dong Cheol scored his first career winner earlier in the afternoon, guiding favourite Hwanggeumnalgae to a three length win in race 3.

– At Busan Race Park, only six went in the feature handicap – a category 2 for foreign bred horses. A very open race betting-wise, the win was taken by second favourite Brown Storm (2.5) under Toshio Uchida.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Jeolho Chance Wins Oaks in Style

Favourite recovers from first corner wobble
Jeolho Chance recovered from an early scare to score a commanding win in the Korean Oaks at Busan Race Park this afternoon and in doing so, cemented her place as the nation’s top filly.

Breaking out of stall nine, Jo Chan Hun took Jeolho Chance out quickly with the intention of leading into the first corner. It so nearly went wrong though as the 1.7 favourite ran wildly off line at the corner allowing most of the field to pass. Jo kept his head, however, and shook Jeolho Chance back into position. As they entered the back straight she was in front and from then on, it was simply a matter of time before she kicked away from the field.

The inevitable happened as they turned for home. Jeolho Chance translates into English as “Perfect Timing” and when she went, the rest had no answer. Arch Racer (13.7), under Toshio Uchida, emerged from the field to give chase but Jeolho Chance showed her class to sprint away for a five length win. Seoul horses Gate Way (20.2) and Baram Queen (11.9) were a further two lengths back in third and fourth respectively.

On a baking hot day in Busan, with temperatures in the low thirties, Jeolho Chance moved onto six career wins from twelve starts. Although they were never likely to win, it was a good day for the two Seoul entrants, redeeming some of the capital’s pride after Busan’s monopoly on the placings in the season’s earlier classics.

It was also another masterful ride by Toshio Uchida on Arch Racer, weaving through the field and timing his run to perfection. Only there was one exceptional filly who they were never going to have a chance to catch.

Korean Oaks (G II) – Busan Race Park – Aug 10, 2008 – 15:45
1. Jeolho Chance [Didyme – Harboring (Boston Harbor)] – Jo Chan Hun – 1.7
2. Arch Racer [Archer City Slew – Trixable (Tax Collection)] – Toshio Uchida – 13.7
3. Gate Way [Psychobabble – Rich Emotions (Rizzi)] – Lim Sung Sil – 20.2
Distances: 5 lengths / 2 lengths

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Seoul Racing Review

Arrow Guard, Free Woody & Dangdanghan score good wins
Outsider Arrow Guard (29.0) produced a storming finish to take a narrow win in the feature at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Esteban (17.8 ) under Ikuyasu Kurakane set the early pace in the 1700 metre category 2 handicap and looked set for a wire to wire win until Kim Ok Sung brought the five year old Arrow Guard – in last place as they turned into the straight, through the field for the half length win. Esteban held on for second with Happy Go (2.8 ) in third.

Highly fancied Free Woody (1.5) had to work hard for victory in the previous race. However, the three year old made it four wins from eleven holding on by a neck from the fast finishing Mighty Galloper (5.8 )in an 1900 metre category 3. Finding things slightly easier was Dangdanghan (2.7), the three year old gelding taking his third consecutive victory in race 10, Lee Shin Young guiding him to the front out of the gate and kept him there for a commanding five length victory.

Moon Se Young returned from suspension but it was Cho Kyoung Ho who was the dominant jockey of the day with three wins, while there were doubles for Park Tae Jong and Kim Hyo Seob. New jockey Park Si Cheon scored his first place finish with third on Keungori (22.7) in race 4. Racing returns to Seoul tomorrow with the first at 11:20. The Korean Oaks will be simulcasted from Busan at 15:45.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Busan Racing Review

Areumdaun Jilju, Namdo Jijon take easy wins but Golding beaten
Top domestic four year old Areumdaun Jilju strolled to an easy win in the first co-feature at Busan Race Park yesterday afternoon. The 1.1 favourite, under Toshio Uchida, showed at the front of the field through the back straight of the 2000 metre handicap, going away from the field as they turned for home and taking a four length win at the line from Sinhwaui Juingong and Sanbang Jeil. Areumdaun Jilju goes on to nine wins from fourteen starts.

The second co-feature was won by the Japanese bred Dongbang Geona (16.7), the gelding recording his seventh career win in a tight finish from Sonbaljein and favourite Hwanggeumbit Taeya. Angle Slam finished fourth with Golding back in sixth.

Earlier Namdo Jijon (1.3), third in the Derby, took his second straight win with a comfortable category 2 handicap victory by four lengths over Katrina and Neveah, the latter ridden by Nozomu Tomizawa, in Busan for Sunday’s Oaks. Toshio Uchida was once again jockey of he day with three wins, Kim Eu Su took a big race double on Namdo Jijon and Dongbang Geona, while Danny Craven was also in the winner’s enclosure with victory on Yeoreumbi (4.8 ) in race 2. Racing returns to Busan for Oaks Day on Sunday at 12:40.

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Oaks Weekend Preview

While the Korean Oaks, the third Classic of the season is undoubtedly the weekend’s main event (see below for a full preview of the big race) the remainder of the card at Busan is a competitive one and there are also the usual Saturday and Sunday programs at Seoul Race Park. 

Busan kicks things off with nine races on Friday, the first ay 13:00.  There’s a double main event with handicaps for both domestic and overseas bred horses. The domestic one is up first with the weights headed by Areumdaun Jilju who has been in imperious form in 2008. The four year old will be bidding to make it 9 wins from 14 outings and will be carrying a full 7.5 kilos more than his rivals.  The foreign-bred field is headed by Golding, the six year old back in winning form last time out after three consecutive seconds.  Hwanggeumbit Taeya and Angle Slam will be among those looking to prevent Golding from taking a sixteenth career win. Sunday’s six races at Busan are dominated by the Oaks which is race 5 at 15:45. 

Seoul takes a back seat this weekend but there are 12 races on Saturday and 11 on Sunday with an 11:20 start both days.  The only category 1 race is the very last on Sunday when Good Day will meet Best Condition over 2000 metres.  The Oaks will be one of the Busan races simulcasted back to Seoul. In addition to Seoul and Busan, Jeju Race Park will run its usual program on Saturday and Sunday getting underway at 12:20 both days.

Jeolho Chance heads Oaks field of fourteen

A full field of fourteen will contest the Korean Oaks which will be run Sunday at Busan Race Park. Only two Seoul based horses have made the journey to South Gyeongsang province with the capital’s hopes resting on Baram Queen and Gate Way to break Busan’s stranglehold on this year’s classics.

They will have their work cut out, however, with the likes of Jeolho Chance and Gaya Gongju having already proved themselves over the distance and against older horses. In addition to being run at Busan for the first time, this year’s Oaks has seen an almost doubling of prize money with the winner taking home KRW 228Million.

The Oaks is race 5 of a 6 race card on Sunday August 10 with a post time of 15:45. Full list of runners and riders:

Korean Oaks (G II) 1800M – Busan Race Park – Aug.10, 15:45

1. Arch Racer – (9/2/2/1) – Toshio Uchida
Won over 1200 metres last time and has been improving with every race. Uchida’s booking will ensure she has some support.
2. Gate Way – (13/3/3/0) – Lim Sung Shil
One of the two Seoul entrants, Gate Way has had a good early summer winning two from her last three and, albeit against lesser opposition.
3. Gaya Gongju – (10/4/3/1) – Kim Eu Su
One of only two in the field to have achieved category 1 status already, Gaya Gongju finished eigth in the KRA Cup Mile, winning and running second in a handicap since.
4. Jakjunmyeongnyeong – (9/2/2/1) – Chae Kyu Jun
Her two wins have come in sprints and she has struggled in all three outings greater than 1200 metres.
5. Teukgeuphaegyeolsa – (11/3/1/2) – Gu Young Jun
Finished 11th of 12 in her only category 2 outing last time but had shown steady improvement up until then.
6. Myeongpumjilju – (11/1/4/3) – Choi Si Dae
A consistent placer if not winner, led a category 2 handicap last time until being overtaken by two older colts in the final 100 metres.
7. Galsaek Geotap – (7/3/1/0) – Jo Chang Wook
Struggled in her only race at a distance over 1200 metres so far, but beat Myeongpumjilju last time the pair met when the latter started hot favourite.
8. Useung Party – (4/3/0/0) – Yoo Hyun Myoung
Won her first three races before stepping up in class and being found wanting over 1600 metres, finishing sixth.
9. Jeolho Chance (11/5/1/1) – Jo Chan Hoon
A third place finish in the KRA Cup mile caused her to start the Derby as second favourite. She finished ninth but back in Busan scored a wire to wire five length win in a category 1 handicap over 2000 metres. Finished 4th in a similar race last time and is the one to beat.
10. Sunpunge Dotdanbae – (10/3/1/2) – Kim Tae Kyung
A steady performer with 2 of her 3 wins coming against decent opposition.
11. Baram Queen – (11/2/3/2) – Nozomu Tomizawa
Seoul’s other entrant, her last run was an impressive 3rd in the Sports Seoul Cup behind two fillies who don’t make the journey down, Samsinyeonsarand and Daehyo. Nozomu Tomizawa has ridden her in every race and will take the ride in Busan too.
12. Daehan Dolpung – (13/2/4/3) – Kim Tae Jun
Landed a smart win over a tough field just two weeks ago over 1800 metres and has been very consistent in 2008.
13. Achim Noeul – (7/3/0/0) – Kim Myoung Shin
Has run once a month in 2008 and has alternated brilliance with mediocrity.
14. Bugyeong Sarang – (11/2/2/2) – Jo Seung Gon
Her two wins were over 1200 metres and she had a hard time in her last race against category 2 horses.

Shaving Points and Playing Politics could clash in YTN

This year’s two most exciting three year old imports to Seoul are both entered in the YTN Cup to be run over 1900 metres at Seoul Race Park on Sunday August 17. Shaving Points and Playing Politics both have three runs with three wins to their names and their eventual meeting is one of the most anticipated in Korean racing.

Shaving Points, son of Pure Precision, hasn’t run since the end of May when he cantered to an easy win over 1700 metres. He was initially entered in the Owner’s Association Trophy but was withdrawn. Playing Politics, son of Outflanker and a half brother of Bally Brae (through their dam, Political Bluff), only debuted the day before Shaving Points’ last outing and broke the track record over 1300 metres before going on to secure a similarly easy 1700 metre win.

There are 15 entries at this stage and also on the list are three year olds Cheonjidolpung (Tactical Cat) with four wins from eight, Noubeau Riche (Beau Genius) with five from eight and Vicar Love (Vicar) who has four from seven. Full preview next Thursday.

Moon still way out in front

Despite yet another weekend on the sidelines through suspension, it is hard to imagine Moon Se Young being caught at the top of the jockey’s table. He holds a lead of 13 over nearest rival Cho Kyoung Ho and is just 43 short of Park Tae Jong’s record of 120 in a single year. Park still maintains a clear third place while four winners on Sunday takes Choi Beom Hyun into fourth ahead of Ikuyasu Kurakane:

1. Moon Se Young 77
2. Cho Kyoung Ho 64
3. Park Tae Jong 47
4. Choi Beom Hyun 32
5. Ikuyasu Kurakane 30

Six KRA Jockey school graduates debuted over the weekend, all having two rides with the exception of Kim Cheol Ho who picked up a third as a late replacement. Kim was the only one of the newcomers to place over the weekend.  Thanks to the reader who pointed out that Yu Mi Ra’s first ride on Saturday was on the filly “Charming Girl”, finishing sixth. Of last year’s graduates, Yoo Seung Wan has been the most successful with 22 winners to date