Racing Previews

Sports Chosun Cup – Full Preview

Sunday sees Stakes racing return to Seoul and while the Sports Chosun Cup isn’t the biggest race on the calendar, it certainly offers some good punting.

Feel So Good - likely favourite in the Sports Chosun

Feel So Good – likely favourite in the Sports Chosun

Feel So Good is likely to be the heavy favourite but he’s not invincible and there are plenty in the field of 13 capable of pulling off the win – or at least finishing in the top three.

Here’s a full run-down of the field with Name [Pedigree] Sex Age (Starts/1/2/3) – Jockey

Sports Chosun Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – June 1, 2014 – 16:35

1. Corner Stone [Ingrandire – Kurenai Moyuru (Merry Nice)] C 4 (17/4/1/3) – Moon Se Young
Moon Se Young steps in for the suspended Seo Seung Un aboard this colt who was a smart winner over the distance last time out when he closed from 7th for the win in the home straight. He’s back after 3 months off and won’t be favourite but he has a chance.

2. Wahaha [Ft.Stockton – Yeppeun Keum (Hurricane Sky)] G 5 (30/2/4/6) – Shinichi Terachi
Very little to recommend here, it’s over 2 years since Wahaha has won and that won’t change.

3. Spending To Me [Capital Spending – Ma Fille (Belong To Me)] M 5 (29/3/5/1) – Park Eul Woon
Third over the distance last time out, beaten 2 lengths by Corner Stone having hit the front in the final furlong. Likes to come from the back but perhaps not quite at this distance. Outside chance of another place.

4. El Campeon [Menifee – Here Comes Meme (Kipper Kelly)] G 5 (29/3/4/5) – Ikuyasu Kurakane
Consistently in the money if not consistently winning, El Campeon was beaten into 3rd by Feel So Good and My Energy last time out but he’s closer who can stay and has plenty of speed. He can’t be overlooked.

5. Nongbon Sarang [The Groom Is Red – Agua Azalita (Pine Bluff)] F 4 (16/2/3/5) – Jang Chu Youl
Won over 1700 metres at class 3 before finishing well beaten by Feel So Good in that race last month. Will need to improve here to challenge for a place.

6. My Energy [Vicar – Ich Bien (Jade Hunter) H 6 (48/4/3/2) – Yoo Seung Wan
Second to Feel So Good – by 9 lengths – last time and ahead of El Campeon, who he also beat in April. It would be a surprise to see him win here though.

7. Citius [Revere – Daecheonpung (Fiercely) C 4 (14/4/1/1) – Lee Sang Hyeok
Good win over the distance at class 3 last time. Likes to be just off the pace and if the closers fail to get into gear, he may well steal a place.

8. Geumseongi [Pico Central – Cat Beluga (Hennessy)] C 4 (16/3/6/1) – Cho Kyoung Ho
Has plenty of speed and comes off the back of two solid 2nd place finishes. Another 2nd is more likely than a win but if he must be in with a chance.

9. Feel So Good [Ft.Stockton – Courting Dreams (Eastover Court)] G 5 (10/5/0/0) – Ham Wan Sik
A winner at Calder in Florida in 2012, he’s blown hot and cold since coming home. He was certainly hot last time out, winning over the distance – and over several of this field – by 9 lengths. If he runs like that again here, then of course he wins.

10. Citadel [Sakura Seeking – Tropic (Danehill)] G 5 (25/2/6/4) – Kim Ok Sung
Another who has the ability to make a nuisance of himself. Good win over 1900 metres in March but followed it up by being well beaten last month. Difficult to receommend but again difficult to ignore for a quinella at good odds.

11. Pinot Noir [Capital Spending – Neungnyeokchungman (Pacific Bounty) F 4 (11/3/4/1) – Park Hyun Woo
Put in a decent run when 2nd at this distance last time out in March. She was ahead of Feel So Good that day and while she’ll not be favoured to repeat it, she’ll be in a lot of quinellas. Likes to be close to the pace and should stay on.

12. Dewma [Forest Camp – Wild Cat Strike (Wild Again)] F 4 (11/3/4/1) – Lee Chan Ho
Lee Shin Young’s second string is likely to try to hit the front early. Staying there will be quite another matter though.

13. Dae Ung [Pico Central – Myeongseo Gongju (Carry The Flag)] C 4 (7/4/2/0) – Choi Bum Hyun
The wildcard of the field. Hasn’t run since taking a narrow win over 1700 metres last November, he strolled comfortably through a trial in April. This should be too much too soon but some may be tempted by the likely good odds on him.

Sunday June 1
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00 with a performance by Girl’s Day at 3.45!!
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:00

Weekend Preview: Twinkle Twinkle!

May becomes June and summer racing begins in earnest with a full set of cards around the peninsula this weekend.

Girl's Day will be performing during racing at Seoul on Sunday

Girl’s Day will be performing during racing at Seoul on Sunday

And there’s no surer way to know its summer than the reappearance of K-Pop girl groups at Seoul Racecourse. Girl’s Day get us underway with a short performance on the Stakes race presentation stage at 3:45pm. It’s going to be very busy!

They’ll not be the only ones on the stage this weekend as they’ll be on just before the Sports Chosun Cup gets underway. Feel So Good will attempt to get his first Stakes win as he takes on 12 others in the 9 furlong Stakes event.

At Busan, the pick of the action sees Cheonji Bulpae takes on Magic Dancer in Sunday’s feature. Jo Sung Gon takes over on Cheonji Bulpae in place of the suspended Darryll Holland.

Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday May 30
Busan Race Park: 10 races from 13:00 to 19:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:25 to 17:40

Saturday May 31
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:30

Sunday June 1
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:00

K-Triple Crown 2014: Korean Derby 2014 – The Runners & Riders

A field of 15 will contest the 17th Korean Derby at Seoul Race Park this coming Sunday.

If we're going to have a Triple Crown winner this year, it will be Cheongnyong Bisang (KRA)

If we’re going to have a Triple Crown winner this year, it will be Cheongnyong Bisang (KRA)

Cheongnyong Bisang took the first leg of the Triple Crown, the KRA Cup Mile at Busan last month and he returns to his home track to seek to take out the second jewel.

An unprecedented 5 foreign jockeys have rides in the race. Korean racing stalwarts Joe Fujii, Masa Tanaka, Ikuyasu Kurakane and Darryll Holland are joined by newcomer Shinichi Terachi. With trainers Peter Wolsley and Bart Rice both saddling runners, it is set to be the most international running of the Derby to date.

Below is a full run-down of the runners and riders but first here’s what’s happening around Korea this weekend:

Friday May 16
Busan Race Park: 10 races from 13:00 to 19:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:25 to 17:40

Saturday May 17
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00 including the JRA Trophy at 17:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:15

Sunday May 18
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00 including the Korean Derby at 16:40
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:05

The JRA are in town on Saturday for their annual trophy race and there are some good ones going in that. Our main focus though is the Derby and here is a full run down of the runners with [Pedigree} (Starts/1/2/3) (Trainer) – Jockey (Home Track):

The Korean Derby (KOR G1) – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – May 18, 2014

1. Raon Morris [Yankee Victor – Thunder By Night (Thunder Gulch)] (7/3/1/1) (Lee Shin Young) – Moon Se Young (Seoul)
Set the pace for much of the Cup Mile and ran on well to finish 4th at generous odds. He has every chance of improving here and if he gets the lead and others have a bad trip, he just might keep it.

2. Gangchi [Volponi – Regal Heir (Regal Intention)] (10/3/1/1) (Bart Rice) – Masakazu Tanaka (Busan)
Bart Rice is the new star of the Busan trainer colony and he saddles his first Korean Derby runner here. Gangchi made little impact in the Cup Mile and will need to show a lot of improvement to challenge here.

3. Jeongsang Bima [Forest Camp – Smokegetenyoureyes (Smokester)] (9/2/3/2) (Park Hui Cheol) – Ham Wan Sik (Seoul)
A winner over the distance, albeit at class 4, he has a nice turn of foot and likes to come from just behind the leaders. Could be worth a place interest.

4. Jangsan Horangi [Forest Camp – Steal The Show (Cat Thief)] (5/2/2/1) (Kim Jeom Oh) – Oh Kyoung Hoan (Seoul)
Lightly raced and untried at further than 1400M and hasn’t won at higher than class 5. Has plenty of promise and has never finished worse than 3rd but is difficult to recommend here.

5. Wild Rush [Forest Camp – Wisconsin Girl (Smart Strike)] (7/2/3/2) (Kim Young Kwan) – Darryll Holland (Busan)
Won a minor event on Cup Mile day and yet to go further than a mile. Kim Young Kwan doesn’t bring horses to Seoul unless he has high expectations though and with Darryll Holland on board, punters will take note.

6. Gumpo Sky [Vicar – Perfect Storm (Didyme)] (8/3/2/2) (Kwan Seung Joo) – Jeong Dong Cheol (Busan)
Comes into the race in excellent form with two consecutive wins behind him, the most recent of which was just 2 weeks ago over a mile. Expect him to be close to any early pace, he’ll need to show a bit more speed than he has to date in the home straight to challenge.

7. Jungle Jim [Peace Rules – Diamond Stephanie (Lucky Lionel)] (5/2/1/1) (Peter Wolsley) – You Hyun Myung (Busan)
Peter Wosley is searching for his first winner at Seoul and while this colt is not without claims, he will have to improve to win this. Rallied well for 2nd over a mile last start and if he comes on here, he could cause problems at the business end of the race.

8. Queen’s Blade [Menifee – Harboring (Boston Harbor)] (8/4/3/0) (Kim Young Kwan) – Kim Yong Geun (Busan)
Sent off as the odds-on favourite in the Cup Mile, she finished a disappointing 5th having shown briefly at the front with a furlong to run. The half-sister to 2008 Oaks winner Jeolho Chance will have plenty of backers to put things right here. Kim Young Kwan will no doubt have fixed her final furlong but will others have come on more?

9. Royal Impact [Cielo Gold – Skeemo (Meadowlake)] (8/2/3/0) (Kim Byung Hak) – Song Keong Yun (Busan)
The closer never closed in the Cup Mile, staying in 11th position the whole way around. Needs others to run poorly to have a chance.

10. Super Rider [Ft.Stockton – Poyeon (Road Of War)] (9/1/0/1) (Choi Yong Goo) – Shinichi Terachi (Seoul)
Little to recommend this one-time winner who is yet to start at further than 7 furlongs. Japanese jockey Shinichi Terachi gets a first Derby ride in just his 2nd week in Korea.

11. Clean Up Speed [Pico Central – Rich Emotions (Rizzi)] (7/4/1/0) (Seo In Seok) – Ikuyasu Kurakane (Seoul)
The Oaks may be a more realistic target for this filly but she’s a frontrunner with a quick finish who’s beaten colts before. These may be a bit too good though. Was in great form until a disappointing 5th last time out.

12. Namdo Trio [Didyme – Tapas (Sky Classic)] (10/2/4/1) (Baik Kwang Yeol) – Kanichiro Fujii (Busan)
The surprise package of the Cup Mile, he closed very strongly to land third. Joe Fujii rode Speedy First to win this race last year and while he’ll not be favourite to win here, heis not without a chance.

13. Cheongnyong Bisang [Volponi – Miss Alwuhush (Alwuhush)] (8/5/0/0) (Kim Jeom Oh) – Seo Seung Un (Seoul)
The Cup Mile winner and favourite. He was superb in Busan last month and if he repeats that form, he wins. Cheongnyeong Bisang’s defeats have come when he’s had a poor trip and Seo Seung Un is going to have to work very hard to get him into his favoured position from gate 13.

14. Cupid Girl [Vicar – Sheza Hot Dish (Rubiano)] (9/4/0/1) (Park Jae Woo) – Cho Kyoung Ho (Seoul)
A decent filly but another for who the Oaks is a more likely target. A creditable 8th in the Cup Mile, a similar position here seems achievable.

15. Pureun Geotap [Menifee – Charmin Strike (Smart Strike)] (9/2/2/3) (Ji Yong Cheol) – Lee Chan Ho (Seoul)
Had an abortive attempt on the Cup Mile but otherwise has form at this distance, winning a slowly run race here in March. This will be tougher though.

Weekend Race Times

It’s the weekend before the Derby and the racing is all rather low-key. Nevertheless, there are plenty of competitive races to keep us occupied.

Let's hope for a sunny weekend

Let’s hope for a sunny weekend

There are two class 1 events across the weekend; one at Busan on Friday and another at Seoul on Sunday. Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday May 9
Busan Race Park: 10 races from 13:00 to 19:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:25 to 17:40

Saturday May 10
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:20

Sunday May 11
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:00

K-Triple Crown 2014: The Korean Derby – First Preview

While the great and good of Asian racing are living it up at the ARC in Hong Kong this week, back here in Korea we turn our attention away from the Steamed Spotted Garoupa Fillets and Ferrero Rocher for a moment because we are just over a week away from the big one. The 2014 Korean Derby will be run at Seoul Race Park on Sunday May 18.

If we're going to have a Triple Crown winner this year, it will be Cheongnyong Bisang (KRA)

If we’re going to have a Triple Crown winner this year, it will be Cheongnyong Bisang (KRA)

It’s the 2nd leg of the 2014 Triple Crown, the first jewel, the KRA Cup Mile at Busan last month, having been claimed by the capital raider Cheongnyong Bisang. He heads what is currently a field of 16 for the big race.

Eight are scheduled to make the trip up from Busan. Peter Wolsley plans to bring two while Bart Rice is also set to have his first runner in the Derby in his first year training in Korea.

Along with Cheongnyong Bisang, the next four home from the Cup Mile are also entered; Gilbert, Namdo Trip, Raon Morris and Queen’s Blade will be looking to improve on their showings.

We will have a full and comprehensive build-up to the race over the next week but in the meantime, here are the entrants as they stand today (Name, Pedigree, Race Records – Trainer):

Busan

Gangchi [Volponi – Regal Heir (Regal Intention)] (10/3/1/1) Bart Rice
Queen’s Blade [Menifee – Harboring (Boston Harbor)] (8/4/3/0) – Kim Young Kwan
Wild Rush [Forest Camp – Wisconsin Girl (Smart Strike)] (7/2/3/2) – Kim Young Kwan
Gilbert [Yankee Victor – Wonderful Wanda (Fusaichi Pegasus)] (6/3/2/0) – Min Jang Gi
Namdo Trio [Didyme – Tapas (Sky Classic)] (10/2/4/1) – Baik Kwang Yeol
Gumpo Sky [Vicar – Perfect Storm (Didyme)] (8/3/2/2) – Kwan Seung Joo
Heukgangja [Creek Cat – Rosa Gulch (Thunder Gulch)] (7/3/1/0) – Peter Wolsley
Never Seen Before [Ecton Park – Gwangyeolhan (Stormin Fever)] (5/3/1/0) – Peter Wolsley

Seoul

Cheongnyong Bisang [Volponi – Miss Alwuhush (Alwuhush)] (8/5/0/0) – Kim Jeom Oh
Jangsan Horangi [Forest Camp – Steal The Show (Cat Thief)] (5/2/2/1) – Kim Jeom Oh
Pureun Geotap [Menifee – Charmin Strike (Smart Strike)] (9/2/2/3) – Ji Yong Cheol
Clean Up Speed [Pico Central – Rich Emotions (Rizzi)] (7/4/1/0) – Seo In Seok
Raon Morris [Yankee Victor – Thunder By Night (Thunder Gulch)] (7/3/1/1) – Lee Shin Young
Jeongsang Bima [Forest Camp – Smokegetenyoureyes (Smokester)] (9/2/3/2) – Park Hui Cheol
Gamunui Chukje [Biwa Shinseiki – Gamun Nyeonggwang (Concept Win)] (6/2/2/1) – Park Dae Heung
Cupid Girl [Vicar – Sheza Hot Dish (Rubiano)] (9/4/0/1) – Park Jae Woo

Weekend Preview: Indie Band Returns in Gujke Sinmun / Owners’ Cup At Seoul

After three cancellations due to the Sewol Ferry disaster, racing returns to the peninsula this weekend. And there is big Stakes action in store as Grand Prix Stakes winner Indie Band finally makes his 2014 debut. Meanwhile at Seoul, the delayed Owners’ Cup will also be run Sunday.

Indie Band plays up after winning the President's Cup. He returns this weekend.

Indie Band plays up after winning the President’s Cup. He returns this weekend.

Indie Band ended 2013 with back-to-back dominant wins at Seoul in the nation’s two richest and most prestigious races; the President’s Cup and the Grand Prix Stakes. On Sunday, he returns to his home track of Busan to face 9 rivals in what looks a very tough Gukje Sinmun Cup.

Aside from Indie Band, Cheonji Bulpae, third in the Grand Prix goes as one of two entrants for Aussie trainer Peter Wolsley, Ghost Whisper being the other. Prolific winner Magic Dancer takes his chance while champion jockey Jo Sung Gon returns from Macau to partner undefeated up-and-comer Strictly Two Step.

Oreuse can never be ruled out while Dynamic Jilju and Sand Hi also know where the winning line is. It should be a great race.

The ferry disaster resulted in the postponement of the Seoul Owners’ Cup two Sundays ago. The race will be run this Sunday instead and 10 of the original 11 entrants will take their chance with only Heukgisa dropping out. Read our original preview here.

Generally big fields abound on a welcome return to racing. Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday May 2
Busan Race Park: 10 races from 13:00 to 19:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:25 to 17:40

Saturday May 3
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:15

Sunday May 4
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:00 including the Gukje Sinmun Cup at 16:10.

Seoul Owners’ Association Trophy: Full Preview

The Seoul Owners’ Association Trophy has been run for as long as there has been an Owners’ Association.

Gwanggyo Bisang is among 11 vying for the Owners' Association Trophy

Gwanggyo Bisang is among 11 vying for the Owners’ Association Trophy

That was 1993, the same year that the system of private ownership of racehorses was introduced.

Since then it’s gone through many forms and has seen some of the most well-known names in Korean racing win. P’Ulgeurim, Subsidy, Dongbanui Gangja and last year, Jigeum I Sungan have all made their way into the winner’s circle in the past.

Since 2012, the race has been restricted to Korean-bred runners aged 4 and up and is run over 7 furlongs and that’s what it will be this time around.

Joy Lucky and Gwanggyo Bisang are among a number of top class horses who will contest one of the highlights of the Spring racing calendar. Here’s a full run down of the field with their race records and jockeys:

Seoul Owners’ Association Trophy (KOR G3) – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – April 20, 16:35

1. K Tap [Menifee – Summit Party (Ecton Park)] 4 C (14/6/2/4) – Jang Chu Youl
Has won his last two starts over this distance including a class 1 last time out. He’s quick and likes to come from just off the pace which gives him a chance here.

2. Jjak Kkung [Forest Camp – Fab Four (Yes It’s True)] 5 M (20/6/1/4) – Kim Tea Hun
Well beaten by K Tap over the distance last time out and there’s little to suggest that form is going to be overturned. Won from the front over 1200M in January but should find the company a little quick here.

3. Brig [Menifee – Delicias (Deputy Minister)] 4 C (16/8/3/0) – Moon Se Young
4th in last year’s Derby and a two-time class 1 winner, Brig drops down to one-turn for the first time since he was a 2-year-old. He’s never run at this distance but Brig likes to come from just off the pace and could be a big threat in the home straight. A chance.

4. Cheonnyeon Dongan [Ecton Park – Honeycakes (Hennessey) 4 F (12/7/0/3) – Jo In Kwen
Comes into the race off the back of three wins – two of them in Stakes races but hasn’t run since January. One of those Stakes wins came at the expense of Joy Lucky who suffered interference. All things being equal though, Joy Lucky is faster than her. Another closer, it’s worth watching the board for any value.

5. Full Step [Didyme – Fox Dance (Foxtrail)] 7 H (41/4/4/4) – Lee Gang Seo
Has been out of step for a long time now. Hasn’t moneyed for two years and won’t do so here. Served his time and should be retired. To his credit, in his 41 starts, he’s never finished last.

6. Reigns Cat [Creek Cat – Eternal Reigns (Eternal Orage)] 6 H (32/5/3/3) – Ikuyasu Kurakane
Four indifferent performances since returning from a long lay-off make it very difficult to recommend him here. The old Reigns Cat would have had a chance but not this one.

7. Joy Lucky [Vicar – Proper Gun (Prosper Fager)] 4 F (12/8/1/0) – Seo Seung Un
Comes into the race off of a hugely disappointing run in the Ttukseom Cup. She is the fastest horse in the race and if she runs at her best, she wins. In three of her last races, however, she hasn’t. Still difficult to oppose.

8. New And Best [Trick Of Fate – Yongungch’eon (Phizam)] 7 H (54/4/6/3) – Bang Choon Sik
A shock second in this race to Jigeum I Sungan last year at odds of 200/1. He’ll be something similar here and for good reason.

9. Seoul Jeongsang [Capital Spending – Luvtonoah (Westminster)] 6 G (32/4/5/7) – Yoon Tae Hyuk
Although he has graduated up the levels through virtue of prize-money, Seoul Jeongsang has never won a race at a higher level than class 3. He’ll not win this one either and though he was a decent sprinter, is unlikely to have the pace to figure in the finish.

10. Gwanggyo Bisang [Menifee – Touch Upon (Touch Gold)] 4 G (11/8/1/1) – Park Tae Jong
A double-Stakes winner last year and narrowly beaten by Joy Lucky over further in December. Hasn’t run since January but will be among the favourites and is very capable of beating Joy Lucky.

11. Heukgisa [A.P.Dancer – Mansumugang (Half Term)] 5 G (17/7/3/1) – Cho Kyoung Ho
Beat a small field to win a class 1 with a very swift turn of foot last time out. Likely to be close to front and could make a nuisance of himself in the closing stages.

Weekend Race Times

The feature race of the weekend is the Seoul Owners’ Association Trophy which takes place in the capital on Sunday afternoon. There will be a full runner-by-runner preview on this site tomorrow evening.

Flowers Corner

In the meantime, here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday April 18
Busan Race Park: 10 races from 13:00 to 19:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:25 to 17:40

Saturday April 19
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:15

Sunday April 20
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:00

Weekend Preview

Last week saw the KRA Cup Mile and next week is the Seoul Owners’ Cup. No Stakes this weekend – not for the thoroughbreds anyway – but still plenty to keep us occupied.

Springtime - hopefully we'll have some sunshine this weekend. Wouldn't bet on it though

Springtime – hopefully we’ll have some sunshine this weekend. Wouldn’t bet on it though

Seoul’s weekend feature is the Sports Donga Trophy on Sunday afternoon. KRA Cup Classic and Ttukseom Cup runner-up Indian Blue heads a competitive looking class 1 field over 2000 metres. Fellow 4-year-olds Double Shining and Kentucky Galloper will also be there.

Busan hosts class 1 fields on both Friday and Sunday. Old favourite Ghost Whisper goes in Friday’s contest which also features up-and-comer Smile Again making his debut at this level.

Meanwhile on Sunday, Lion Santa and Viva Ace – both winless for a long time – renew hostilities. They’ll be hard pressed to break their streaks here.

The one Stakes of the weekend is on Jeju Island on Saturday, where the ponies will be running for the cutely titled “Blossom Stakes”. Speaking of blossoms, it’s the final weekend of the Cherry Blossom festival at Seoul Racecourse.

Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday April 11
Busan Race Park: 10 races from 13:00 to 19:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:25 to 17:40

Saturday April 12
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:15

Sunday April 13
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:00

K-Triple Crown 2014: KRA Cup Mile Full Preview

The Triple Crown is upon us. We’ve a long slog ahead with 6 months between the first leg and final legs. We begin at Busan Race Park this coming Sunday with the KRA Cup Mile – the Korean 2000 Guineas.

Cheongnyong Bisang stands to attention after becoming champion juvenile. He'll have plenty of supporters in the KRA Cup Mile

Cheongnyong Bisang stands to attention after becoming champion juvenile. He’ll have plenty of supporters in the KRA Cup Mile

A full field of 16 will line up for the big race – 7 of them fillies. It looks extremely open and hard to call. Here’s a run-down of the runners and riders:

KRA Cup Mile (KOR G2) – Busan Race Park – 1600M – Sunday April 6, 2014

1. Classic Cat [One Cool Cat – Deoksugung (Cherokee Run)] (6/3/1/0) – Park Hyun Woo (Seoul)
Faded badly in the final furlong of his last start which was his first try at 7 furlongs. Prior to that he’d recorded some very dominant wins and with plenty of speed, if he runs back to that form he could do feature at the buiness end of the race. Doing it at Busan is a big ask though.

2. Yeonggwanguichampion [Menifee – Manwang (Road Of War)] (7/4/1/1) – Lim Sung Sil (Busan)
Lim Sung Sil has been to be on in Stakes races recently although he’s not riding for trainer Kim Young Kwan this time. Finished 2nd on his only start over the distance to date. He’s a front-runner and will need to have come on since then if he is to hold on here. A chance.

3. Cheongnyong Bisang [Volponi – Miss Alwuhush (Alwuhush)] (7/4/0/0) – Seo Seung Un (Seoul)
Last year’s Champion Juvenile found himself exposed last time out against class 2 opposition. That was over 1800M and he already has a win at 1700M to his name. With the exception of his Breeders’ Cup, his wins have come from the front and he is going to face a lot of competition up there. If he can stay on in the long and tough Busan home straight, he’ll be among the contenders.

4. Pureun Geotap [Menifee – Charmin Strike (Smart Strike)] Filly (9/2/2/3) Lee Chan Ho (Seoul)
The filly was 3rd in the Breeders’ Cup and has gone on to show she can handle an extended trip, with a class 4 win over 1800M. She was hanging on a bit in a slowly run race but should appreciate the drop down to 1600M.

5. Gangchi [Volponi – Regal Heir (Regal Intention)] (9/3/1/1) – Darryll Holland (Busan)
Bart Rice saddles his first Korean Classic runner. Gangchi was a sharp-looking winner over 1300M last time out. Expect to see him just off the lead and if anyone can coax the best out of him, it’s Darryll Holland.

6. Nubi Queen [Menifee – Dream Runner (Our Poetic Prince)] Filly (9/3/1/2) – Oh Kyoung Hoan (Seoul)
Another who has won over 1800M at Seoul, Nubi Queen could only manage 6th when facing a lot of these rivals in the Breeders’ Cup last December and although she’s clearly gone on since, whether she has the pace to match them at the business end of the race is open to question.

7. Winner’s Marine [Volponi – Graceful Ballerina (Posse)] Filly (5/5/0/0) – You Hyun Myung (Busan)
The only unbeaten runner coming into the race, she’s going to have to work very hard to still be unbeaten come the end of Sunday afternoon though. She’s never tried further than 1300M and hasn’t beaten anything special but she is undeniably quick and jockey You Hyun Myung has been in sensational form of late.

8. Raon Morris [Yankee Victor – Thunder By Night (Thunder Gulch)] (6/3/1/1) – Moon Se Young (Seoul)
Seoul’s champion 2-year-old of last year has only made one competitive start in 2014, finishing 3rd over 1700M in January. He has race-trialed twice since though and Seoul’s top jockey Moon Se Young has seen fit to make the journey South – a tip in itself. On his day, he has the fastest sprint and must be respected.

9. Jungang Gongju [Menifee – Command And Hope (Commands)] Filly (7/2/2/0) – Choi Si Dae (Busan)
Winner of Busan’s biggest 2-year-old race last year, she’s been deeply unimpressive in her three starts since. Likes to come from off the pace with a very fast final three furlongs, if she runs to her best, she can win especially if the front-runners burn themselves out. However, she’s not been doing that lately, disappointing punters who’ve backed her into short odds each time. They won’t this time.

10. Queen’s Blade [Menifee – Harboring (Boston Harbor)] Filly (7/4/3/0) – Kim Yong Geun (Busan)
A Kim Young Kwan trained horse must always be in contention in a big race and his filly cones into this race with the most impressive recent form, winning a class 2 race over this distance. She’ll need to go quicker than she did that day to win this but she has the pace and the pedigree to excel here – she’s half-sister to 2008 Oaks winner Jeolho Chance – and could be hard to beat.

11. Gilbert [Yankee Victor – Wonderful Wanda (Fusaichi Pegasus)] (5/3/1/0) – Kim Dong Young (Busan)
One of the bigger colts in the race, Gilbert looks like a sprinter and so far has only run once over 6 furlongs – he finished 8th. Kim Dong Young, who won this race last year on Sting Ray, will be his 5th jockey in 6 races. He’s quick but others are quicker.

12. Namdo Trio [Didyme – Tapas (Sky Classic)] (9/2/4/0) – Kanichiro Fujii (Busan)
A very encouraging run over the distance in March and Joe Fujii on his back are two things that Namdo Trio has in his favour. Likes to close from just off the pace, he should find one or two quicker here but the Fujii-factor will mean he has his backers.

13. Power Champion [Perfect Champion – Perfect Vision (Psychobabble)] (8/4/1/0) – Jo In Kwen (Seoul)
Enters the race in great form, having won his past 4 starts and with Jo In Kwen on board, he’ll have plenty of support from punters. It’s his first try at this distance which could be a concern but he will be among the favourites.

14. Cupid Girl [Vicar – Sheza Hot Dish (Rubiano)] Filly (8/4/0/1) – Park Byung Yun (Seoul)
Another who comes into the race on a winning streak, her’s currently stands at 3, her most recent coming over 1800M. The distance therefore isn’t a concern and she has won both from the front and from off the pace. Should be a good price with an unfashionable jockey on board but likely to find a few too quick here though.

15. Hwanggeumbitjijung [Menifee – Firstclasscat (Catienus)] Filly (6/4/0/1) – Masakazu Tanaka (Busan)
Got squeezed out in a very tight four-way finish over 1500M last time out and the fact that she was passed by 3 class 3 horses in the final few strides of that race is a worry. If she can stay the distance, she should have plenty of speed in store.

16. Royal Impact [Cielo Gold – Skeemo (Meadowlake)] (7/2/0/3) – Song Keong Yun (Busan)
A closer who could well appreciate stepping up a further half-furlong than he’s run before. Although he comes in looking in good form, he hasn’t beaten very much and only has one start at class 3 to his name so he’ll be one of the outsiders. Bet him if you think the pace-setters will sprint each other out the race.

The KRA Cup Mile is race 5 of a 6-race program at Busan on Sunday. The race will also be broadcast live to Seoul Racecourse for simulcast betting.