2007 Korean Oaks winner Baekpa worked four furlongs at Laurel Park last Saturday morning. The five year old is in the United States as the second horse to take part in the KRA’s “internationalization” program.
Baekpa put in a hardly Earth-shattering, but perfectly respectable, time of 49.60 for the four furlongs – thirty-third quickest of the fifty two who worked that morning. Shaka has the full details (Korean). Her first race could come later this month.
Whether it is the milder winters, the sea air, the uphill back-straight at Busan – or even the stronger liquor in Gyeongnam Province, horses from Busan have won the last four Triple Crown races. Rainmaker, Ebony Storm and Gaeseon Janggun did the honours last year, while Sangseung Ilro claimed the KRA Cup Mile for the home team last month – a race for which only two Seoul horses bothered to ship down for.
Seoul’s most promising three year-old, Nice Choice, was among those whose connections opted not to venture south last month, preferring to concentrate entirely on the Derby. Six Busan horses will be coming to coming to him, however, and there is every chance that they could continue the dominance of Korea’s supposedly second track.
Leading the Southern charge will be the filly Sangseung Ilro. It looks like jockey Eiki Nishimura won’t be with her (more on that tomorrow), but the KRA Cup Mile winner will be joined by Namdo Jeap and Yeonseung Daero, who ran second and third in that race as well as Sky Star, the filly Pangpang and late entry, Impeccable. Here is the run down on the Busan entrants, with pedigree and race records:
Sangseung Ilro (F) [Concept Win – Miss Whiskey (Whiskey Wisdom)] – (6/4/1/1) – We know what she is capable of. She came into the KRA Cup Mile relatively unfancied but finished with a flourish to take the honours.
Yeonseung Daero [Creek Cat – Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] – (8/5/1/2) – Favourite going into the KRA Cup Mile and should be well-fancied again.
Namdo Jeap [Ft. Stockton – Wandering Katie (Tejano)] – (6/3/2/1) – Half brother to last year’s Cup Mile winner Rainmaker and stablemate to Yeonseung Daero, the Cup Mile was his first test at anything over six furlongs. He passed it and while victory may be too much to ask, he must be considered for a place.
Sky Star [Tahamkke – Blue Lark (Ravenwood)] – (10/5/1/0) – Ran poorly in the Cup Mile but returned just two weeks later to win over the Derby distance. A contender.
Pangpang (F) [Revere – Awishnotalark (Rio’s Lark)] – (11/3/0/1) – The only one of the Busan horses that it is difficult to make a case for. Finished well down the field in the Cup Mile and although she bounced back with a win at the end of April, she dropped down in distance and class to do it.
Impeccable [Distilled – Bellebreezy (Foolish Pleasure)] – (6/4/0/0) – The enigma. A late entry in the Derby, he won his first four outings with ease but came unstuck in the Cup Mile. On May 1, he came back and at odds-on, finished fourth against the same calibre of opposition he’d easily defeated in the past. Punters will have to make the decision if those last two outings were the exception. Impeccable will be the choice of those wishing to see Peter Wolsley become the first foreign trainer to win the Korean Derby. Last year’s winner Ebony Storm is now in his barn, but was under different supervision when he caused the biggest shock in Derby history twelve months ago.
With less than two weeks until the big day, Korean racing is gearing up for the 2009 Korean Derby which will take place at Seoul Race Park on Sunday May 17.
A maximum of fourteen will line up for the race and at this stage, exactly fourteen remain entered. Sangseung Ilro will venture north from Busan in an attempt to keep her Triple Crown effort on course. The filly was the surprise winner of the first leg of the Triple Crown, the KRA Cup Mile at Busan in April. Stablemate Namdo Jeap, who she duelled with in the home straight of the Cup Mile, will join her in shipping up from Busan as will Yeonseung Daero, who started as favourite that day and finished third. However, following his disappointing run in the Cup Mile and a lacklustre performance in a handicap a week ago, the one time highly fancied Impeccable will not travel to Seoul.
Busan based horses swept all the Classics in 2008 and Seoul will be looking to regain some much needed pride. They have a good chance of doing so in the shape of the likely favourite, Nice Choice. Last year’s top juvenile didn’t travel down to Busan for the Cup Mile, his connections giving up the chance of going for the Triple Crown in order to focus solely on the Derby. His two races so far this year have both been at the Derby distance of nine furlongs and ended in a comfortable win and a narrow second against older horses.
A host of others will also fancy their chances and we will take a closer look at all of the contenders over the coming days. For now, here is the full list of entries with race records (Runs/1st/2nd/3rd), [B] = Busan, (F) = Filly:
Nice Choice [Lost Mountain – Betty’s Rhapsody (Don’t Hesitate)] – (6/4/2/0)
Triple Canon [Tahamkke – Tamna Jeilbong (Lost Mountain)] – (7/4/2/0)
Love Cat (F) [Creek Cat – Love Cue (Curia Regis)] – (9/5/0/2)
Red Ball [Lethal Instrument – Wildly Magic (Pieterhof)] – (8/4/0/1)
Seokcheong [Fiercely – Miss Geology (Jade Hunter)] – (6/4/1/1)
Baengnyeonbong [Al Naba – Sansovino Art (Mister C.)] – (9/4/1/1)
Khanui Jeguk [Sunday Well – Lucky Dip (Didyme)] – (7/3/1/1)
Khanui Huye [The Groom Is Red – Noble Michelle (Flow Technology)] – (7/2/2/0)
Money Teukgeup[Ft. Stockton – Headwork (Silveyville)] – (8/2/3/1)
Sangseung Ilro [B] (F) [Concept Win – Miss Whiskey (Whiskey Wisdom)] – (6/4/1/1)
Yeonseung Daero [B] [Creek Cat – Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] – (8/5/1/2)
Namdo Jeap [B] [Ft. Stockton – Wandering Katie (Tejano)] – (6/3/2/1)
Sky Star [B] [Tahamkke – Blue Lark (Ravenwood)] – (10/5/1/0)
Pangpang [B] [Revere – Awishnotalark (Rio’s Lark)] – (11/3/0/1)
In 2008, the race was run following a downpour and 90/1 outsider Ebony Storm shocked the favourites to claim the victory. See race video here.
Jockey Kim Hyo Seob is set to retire from the saddle shortly and join the training ranks, according to reports by the Korean Racing Journal over the weekend. The 44 year old Kim, who suffered a heavy fall during racing on April 26, will go to the United States to observe training methods before returning to Korea to take up his license. While breeding in Korea has improved in recent years, the performance of thoroughbreds on the track is still sub-standard and training quality is an area that has been identified as being in need of improvement.
Kim Hyo Seob debuted as a jockey in 1987 and has ridden 851 winners from 5794 mounts. While spending much of his career in the shadow of Park Tae Jong, who qualified at the same time and has established himself as Korea’s greatest ever jockey, Kim has nevertheless won the Korean Derby once, the Korean Oaks twice and the Ttukseom Cup twice, most recently this year’s renewal on Mighty Runner last month. Other contemporaries such as Ahn Byung Ki, Woo Chang Gu and Chun Chang Ki have already taken up trainers’ licenses.
Kim will not be the only one heading to the the States. The KRA is to send two young jockeys over to train. One of these is reported to be Seoul based Yoo Seung Wan, the 24 year old having ridden 41 winners in his first two years since qualifying. The other is yet to be determined. In horse terms, 2007 Oaks winner Baekpa is already in the States. The mare is yet to race since arriving in late March
Myeongmun Gamun / Dongbanui Gangja head tables
Standings for the first quarter of 2009 have been released aand there are no surprises as Myeongmun Gamun tops the domestic table while Dongbanui Gangja heads the list of overseas bred horses currently running at Seoul.
The tables, produced four times a year, distinguish only between locally bred and overseas bred with points worked out by race performances. In the domestic list, Myeongmun Gamun remains on top although his poor performance in this month’s Ttukseom Cup may see him slip down in future, likewise Mighty Runner’s win in that race should see him rise from his current spot in tenth. With Baekpa currently in the United States – and still looking for her first race – Top Point is top filly or mare on the list, in fourth place overall.
In the overseas ranks, Dongbanui Gangja takes top spot ahead of Bally Brae. Gangho, with four wins from four currently lies in twentieth place and is expected to line up against similarly highly thought of young import Bulpae Gisang in next month’s JRA Cup. Poignantly, Playing Politics rises into the top ten for the first time. The four year old was retired injured last month and although there have been rumours that if the long injured Baekgwang’s anticipated comeback next month goes ahead successfully, Playing Politics may receive the same stem-cell treatment, few expect to see him on the track again.
Here are the top tens with points earned:
Quarter 1 2009 Standings – Overseas Bred
1. Dongbanui Gangja (USA) 135
2. Bally Brae (USA) 133
3. Baekjeonmupae (NZ) 131
4. Angus Empire (USA) 127
5= Vicar Love (USA) 125
5= Seoul Teukgeup (USA) 125
5= Subsidy (USA) 125
8. Playing Politics (USA) 123
9. Saerounbisul (NZ) 122
10. Yodongseong (USA) 119
Quarter 1 2009 Standings – Korean Bred
1. Myeongmun Gamun 129
2. Secret Weapon 128
3. Good Day 126
4. Top Point 124
5. Hongji 121
6. Namchonuijijon 118
7. Saebyeok Dongja 116
8= Balhae Janggun 114
8= Machine Gun 114
10= Mighty Runner 112
10= Natural Nine 112
10= Nujindo 112
The Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance produces standings for US based horses. Click here for the latest table.
A week later than planned, Indian jockey Rahul Shinde is scheduled to make his Korean debut at Busan Race Park on Friday. After missing his one riding engagement last Sunday, with illness the reason given to punters, Shinde is booked to partner last year’s Busan Metropolitan winner Hardride in Friday’s feature race.
Shinde joins the jockey ranks at Busan on an initial contract until the end of August. Like all overseas jockeys, he’ll be a free agent. In India, Shinde has been Champion Jockey at the Hyderabad meet five times and earlier in his career also won three titles in Sri Lanka.
His greatest successes came before 2005 when the previously closed Hyderabad relaxed its rules over none-local jockeys competing. Shinde’s most recent figures for the recently concluded 2008/2009 winter meet were just one win from over ninety rides with nine second and ten third placed finishes.
Meanwhile, Stephan Swanepoel has been telling the KRA’s blog about his time in Korea so far – it’s not been easy but he’s giving it a go, seems to be the gist. The South African jockey mentions being impressed by the infrastructure, if less so by the racing. Click here for the link (in Korean) with photos.
Thanks to Shyam from the “Horses and Races” Indian racing site
Seoul Race Park’s biggest race of the year so far comes under orders on Sunday afternoon as the Park Dae Heung trained pair of Namchonuijijon and Myeongmun Gamun head the field for the Group Three Ttukseom Cup.
Horse of the Year in 2008, the eight year old Myeongmun Gamun will be dropping down to seven furlongs for the first time since the corresponding race in 2006 when he finished fifth – his worst ever finish in a career spanning thirty one races so far in which he has never been out of the money. Nevertheless, Myeongmun Gamun’s only outing this year ended in a surprise defeat and he hasn’t raced since January.
Winner of this race in 2008, Namchonuijijon didn’t kick on after last year’s race but opened his 2009 account with a smart win last month. In that race he finished ahead of two of his rivals here, Free Woody and Mighty Runner, the latter suffering his first defeat in five races.
Also going are the “three sevens”; Triple Seven, Lucky Seven and the impressive but untried at this level so far Seven Card, as well as mares Seonju Jangsu and Geumsuni. The race is off at 17:00. See below for a full list of runners, records and riders (Races/1st/2nd/3rd):
Ttukseom Cup (G.III) – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – Apr 12, 2009
1. Highway Star – (71/5/5/9) – Jung Pyeong Soo
2. Myeongmun Gamun – (31/17/3/6) – Cho Kyoung Ho
3. Seonju Jangsu – (40/6/11/3) – Yang Hee Jin
4. Seven Card – (9/5/3/0) – Yoo Seung Wan
5. Mighty Runner – (19/6/3/4) – Kim Hyo Seob
6. Saebyeok Dongja – (34/10/5/2) – Shin Hyoung Cheol
7. Lucky Seven – (21/5/5/1) – Lee Sang Hyuk
8. Free Woody – (17/5/5/3) – Moon Jung Kyun
9. Triple Seven – (15/4/2/4) – Choi Beom Hyun
10. Taebaek Janggun – (25/7/3/0) – Park Tae Jong
11. Namchonuijijon – (20/6/7/3) – Jung Ki Young
12. Geumsuni – (21/6/4/2) – Han Sung Yeol
Record career earnings / First domestic Grand Prix winner
The KRA has announced that Saegangja, winner of 33 races including a Grand Prix and three consecutive Chairman’s Trophies in the late nineties and the early part of this decade, died on March 28 at the age of thirteen. The gelding had been suffering from colic and was euthanized after failing to respond to treatment.
Foaled in 1996, Saegangja was by the sire Fiercely [Danzig – Whirl Series (Roberto)] and out the New Zealand bred mare Exotic Goddess [Nuage d’Or – Rhine Goddess (Rheingold)]. He made his racecourse debut in September 1998, running third of seven in a maiden race over six furlongs. From this relatively inauspicious start he returned the following month to beat an odds-on favourite over five furlongs and was then undefeated in his next fourteen races taking him up until the middle of 2000.
These included victories in the 1999 Chairman’s Trophy, the Munhwa Ilbo Cup and the end of season Grand Prix becoming the first Korean bred winner of arguably the year’s most prestigious race. In the Grand Prix, he was the first of a group of horses to overhaul the tiring Sinsedae, himself winner of 43 races, in the final furlong.
His winning streak was broken in the Owner’s Association Trophy in April 2000 by the unfancied Pisan. He quickly recovered his form, however, retaining the Chairman’s Trophy and Munhwa Ilbo Cup over the following months but with only six runs under his belt for the year, skipped the Grand Prix. In seven races, he made it a hat-trick of Chairman’s Trophies by a neck but, in the first signs he may have reached his peak, suffered losses in the Minister’s Cup and SBS Cup before running third in the Grand Prix.
In 2002, he lost his Chairman’s Trophy title but managed second placings in the Ttukseom Cup and in the Grand Prix while continuing to win top class handicaps. As his careeer wound down, so did his speed failing to win from seven races in 2004. However, in his first race of 2005, he bounced right back to the winner’s encosure in his season debut and added one more before being retired at the age of nine. Saegangja (1996-2009) retired after 58 races, 33 wins, 8 seconds and 5 thirds with career earnings of KRW 1.5 Billion, still a Korean record.
Shaka has a full obituary (in Korean) complete with video. The “And justice for all” blog carries pictures from his retirement.
Sangseung Ilro landing the first leg of the Triple Crown was undoubtedly the highlight of the day (video now available here), but there was plenty of other action on the peninsula.
At Seoul, it was another female horse making headlines as Pocketful Of Money made the most of a seven kilo weight advantage to comfortably see off Angus Empire and Seoul Teukgeup. the mare went wire to wire for a five length win in Seoul’s feature race.
Earlier in the day, My Symphony landed a competitive fillies race over 1200 metres. The three year old, making her third start scored her second win. Also winning was Australian bred debutante Jinglebella [Belong To Me – Chandrika (Kenmare)]. The gelding ovetook favourite Big Boss in the final furlong and ran on for a three length win.
At Busan, following the Cup Mile there was a class 1 handicap and New Zealand bred Gunham scored his first victory in almost two years. The seven year old had a long lay off in 2008 and had been well down the field in his two starts since returning. This time, however, he went wire to wire for 2000 metres to defeat a field including Shane Bob, Florida Native and 2008 Busan Metropolitan winner Hardride.
Back to the Cup Mile and the Trifecta (or more accurately “Trio”, as it was pick 3 in any order rather than a trifecta) was launched for the race and punters appear to have embraced it. The Trio pool for the KRA Cup Mile was just under KRW 600 Million (about $450,000) and the first three of Sangseung Ilro, Namdo Jeap and Yeonseung Daero in any order paid 53.6. The pool was larger than that for Quinella Place, however, it was six times smaller than the regular Quinella.
Finally, readers may have noticed Korearacing has finally succumbed to Twitter. As has been discussed elsewhere, Twitter and horse racing – indeed many sports – are potentially a very good fit. The feed will be updated from the track on big racedays where possible (wi-fi is usually blocked at Seoul Race Park to frustrate illegal betting signals but yesterday it wasn’t) and perhaps during the week too. Unfortunately Korearacing cannot guarantee that all updates will be as good/lucky as the first one, pointing out Sangseung Ilro as the value bet for the KRA Cup Mile…
There were no last minute surprise additions and no late withdrawals as the final declarations for Sunday’s KRA Cup Mile at Busan Race Park were published on Wednesday. The unbeaten Impeccable heads the field which will go to post at 15:45.
Leading jockey Ikuyasu Kurakane will partner highly rated Sky Star and there is a first big race ride in Korea for South African jockey Martin Wepner who will take the reins on Namdo Jeap. The race will also see the first trial of Trifecta betting in Korea.
Here is the full list of runners, records and riders:
KRA Cup Mile (G.III) – Busan Race Park – 1600M – Apr 5, 2009
1. Power Boy [Lost Mountain – Keon-Gon Ch’eonggi (Pro For Sure)] C (7/2/3/1) – Lim Sung Sil
Has never gone further than seven furlongs although finished ahead of three of this field last time out – but that was back in January.
2. Geumbit Sesang [Duality – Shawnee Sunset (True Colors)] C (4/3/0/0) – Chae Gyu Jun
Won over the distance in March
3. Yeonseung Daero [Creek Cat – Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] C (7/5/1/1) – Kim Eu Su
Stepped up to class 1 early and finished a creditable third behind Procyon and Ebony Storm over this distance in March. A real chance.
4. Sandeomi [Commendable – Regal Meg (Regal Classic)] C (7/4/0/1) – Jo Chan Hoon
Won over this distance in February although was well beaten by Sky Star last time out. Dropping back to a mile could suit though.
5. Sky Star [Tahamkke – Blue Lark (Ravenwood)] C (8/4/1/0) – Ikuyasu Kurakane
A winner at this distance and at class 2 level. With Busan’s top jockey on board, he’ll have plenty of supporters.
6. Namdo Jeap [Ft. Stockton – Wandering Katie (Tejano)] C (5/3/1/1) – Martin Wepner
On a run of three straight wins but has never gone further than six furlongs. If he gets the trip, this half brother of last year’s winner Rainmaker, will be in contention.
7. Money Teukgeup [Ft. Stockton – Headwork (Silveyville)] C (7/2/3/1) – Shin Hyoung Cheol
A regular placer up at Seoul but has been in weak company so far.
8. Impeccable [Distilled – Belle Breezy (Foolish Pleasure)] C (4/4/0/0) – Park Geum Man
Unbeaten and eased down every time. The one doubt is he’s never gone a mile. His times have been nothing special but they haven’t needed to be. Potentially very good.
9. Pangpang [Revere – Awishnotalark (Rio’s Lark)] F (9/2/0/1) – Choi Si Dae
Finishing out of the money last time out, it would be a surprise if the filly made much of an impact.
10. Sangseung Ilro [Concept Win – Ms. Whiskey (Whiskey Wisdom)] F (5/3/1/1) – Eiki Nishimura
Has won her last three races including one over the distance.
11. Dream Wings [Exploit – American Royalty (Alleged)] F (5/2/1/0) – Lee Seung Jae
Finished a long way behind Sangseung Ilro last time.
12. Love Cat [Creek Cat – Love Cue (Curia Regis)] F (8/5/0/2) – Choi Beom Hyun
Seoul’s top filly will have no problems getting the trip and her times suggest that if she takes to the Busan track, she could be in contention. Choi Beom Hyun goes south with her.
2008 Winner: Rainmaker [Revere – Wandering Katie (Tejano)]. Last year’s winner came into the race with two wins and three thirds from his five outings. The Cup Mile was his first attempt at anything over seven furlongs. Rainmaker went on to disappoint in the Korean Derby and suffered a knee injury in the Minister’s Cup at Seoul in October.
