Horse Racing

Vicar Love Sprints to YTN Victory

Playing Politics beaten / Hongji takes Galsaem again
Third favourite Vicar Love tore up the field in the final furlong to claim victory in the KRW 63Million YTN Cup at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. The unbeaten Playing Politics went off the hot favourite at 1.8 and under Choi Beom Hyun was well placed throughout the back straight. As they rounded the final turn, however, Playing Politics couldn’t find his sprint and it was Shim Seung Tae on Vicar Love (6.9) who went away from the rest, leading home by five lengths from outsider Serendipper (33.8 ) and Milwaukee Special (9.5) with the favourite in fourth (full result below).

It was not a good day for favourites. In race 9, six year old Galsaem suffered another setback, going down to Hongji for the second time this year. Galsaem, sent off 1.6 favourite, jumped out of the gate and led through all four corners but as they wound up the sprint, first Nujindo (7.8 ) and then Hongji (4.1) went past, Hongji ultimately the quickest by just over a length. Galsaem is still without victory since her last outing of 2007 and it was Hongji’s first win since the pair faced each other in February.

By this stage many punters had already taken a batttering after highly fancied Captain Cugat (1.4) went down to Royal Missile (4.2) in race 7, however, there was some relief as the fast improving Hera (1.9) came home four lengths clear in race 8.

On a day when one unbeaten record was broken, maybe another one began as the New Zealand bred gelding Coleraine made his first appearance on the track since arriving in Korea at the end of May. He was sent off slight favourite at 3.1 but it’s unlikely the odds will be so generous next time as he bounced out of the gate and never looked back, the rest of the field trailing in seven lengths behind at the end of the 1000 metre race 5. Coleraine’s time of 59.1 seconds just half a second off the course record.

At Busan, there was a six race program and the Japanese bred Jilju Hara kept up her 100% record (1.4) with an astonishing fifteen length win in race 4. The three year old filly, by Dehere and out of Super Innocent, won her first race back in June by eleven lengths and surely has a interesting future ahead. Busan’s feature came down to a three way final furlong battle and it was Toshio Uchida on Distance Runner (4.9) who just got the better of Annika Queen (4.8 ) and Milliondollar (21.0). There was disappointment in the last as The Bee Keeper, likely to be hot favourite was withdrawn through injury. In his absence, Winter Invitation (4.6) took a narrow win from Honor Day (2.3).

YTN Cup Cat.2 (Handicap) – 1900M – Seoul Race Park, 17:30

1. Vicar Love (US) [Vicar – Canberra (Silver Hawk)] – 56kg – Shim Seung Tae
2. Serendipper (Aus) [Danewin – Coppelius (Pleasant Colony)] – 54kg – Cho Kyoung Ho
3. Milwaukee Special (Can) [Milwaukee Brew – A Bit Special (Rahy)] – 57kg – Ham Wan Sik
Distances: 5 lengths, 3/4 length

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

YTN Cup tops Holiday Weekend Cards

Playing Politics heads field / Shaving Points withdrawn / Hongji & Galsaem face-off again
It’s a holiday Friday and Busan Race Park stages its usual nine race card with the first off at 13:00. Friday’s highlight is a category 1 (foreign) handicap over 2000 metres. Hangye Geukbok (33 runs/12wins) heads the field along with Bugyeong Choegang (15/7). Busan also runs a six race card on Sunday when a similar category 1 (domestic) race with a competitive field including Janggun Sinhwa (17/5) and Annika Queen (17/6). Also on Sunday, The Bee Keeper (5/4) makes his first outing since his unexpected defeat last time out.

Seoul Race Park runs its usual cards on Saturday and Sunday with the feature race of the weekend being the KRW 63Million YTN Cup. Disappointingly, Shaving Points, one of the two outstanding imports of 2008 so far, doesn’t go, but the other, Playing Politics, does and shares top weight with the interestingly spelled Noubeau Riche (8/5). The YTN Cup is race 10 on Sunday with a post time of 17:30. See below for full list of runners, riders and weights.

The YTN is a category 2 but both Saturday and Sunday also see category 1 races with Angus Empire heading the weights in Saturday’s race 11 and Hongji and Galsaem facing off again in race 9 on Sunday.

YTN Cup, Cat. 2(Foreign) – Seoul Race Park – 1900M – Aug 17, 17:30

1. Samson’s Echo (US) (15/3/3/1) – 52.5 – Park Soo Hong
2. Princess Thumb (US) (20/2/2/3) – 52 – Moon Se Young
3. Milwaukee Special (Can) (12/3/4/2) – 57 – Ham Wan Sik
4. Nice Friend (Aus) (27/1/3/4) – 52 – Ikuyasu Kurakane
5. Vicar Love (US) (7/4/1/1) – 56 – Shim Seung Tae
6. Storming Colors (US) (11/4/0/1) – 53- Kim Hyo Seob
7. Playing Politics (US) (3/3/0/0) – 57 – Choi Beom Hyun
8. Serendipper (Aus) (10/3/2/1) – 54 – Cho Kyoung Ho
9. Julgisepo (US) (25/4/1/3) – 52 – Shin Dae Jun
10. Big Guy (Aus) (16/3/2/0) – 55.5 – Kim Dong Kyun
11. Entro (NZ) (9/4/1/2) – 54.5 – Nozomu Tomizawa
12. South Darby (US) (12/4/0/1) – 52.5 – Kim Ok Sung
13. Noubeau Riche (US) (8/5/0/1) – 57 – Oh Kyoung Hoan

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.

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