Seoul plows a lone furrow as the only Korean track hosting live racing this weekend, with Busan and Jeju taking a week’s break.
Twilight at Seoul
And for the first time in about ten years, there is racing in the capital on Friday in order to make up for the card that was lost to monsoon rain earlier this month.
That Friday card sees a pair of class 1 contests while Saturday also has some high-class action. However, the pick of the action is on Sunday evening in the shape of the Seoul Economic Daily News Stakes.
Ace Galloper (Chapel Royal) heads a strong field of domestic bred horses going over 1400 metres in the non-Stakes feature race and should be favourite to overcome 10 rivals, including former champion mare Love Cat (Volponi).
Evening racing is upon us! Here’s what’s happening when and where for the rest of the weekend:
Night-time at Seoul
Saturday July 21
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 14:20 to 20:50 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 16:20 to 21:00
Sunday July 22
Seoul Race Park: 10 races from 14:20 to 21:00 including the SBS Cup at 19:10 Busan Race Park: 6 races from 16:05 to 20:30 including the Busan Metropolitan City Mayor’s Cup at 19:40
It’s time! The race that we’ve been waiting for all year will take place under the floodlights at Busan Race Park this Sunday evening as Tough Win and Smarty Moonhak square-off in the Busan Metropolitan City Mayor’s Cup. Informally billed as the Summer Grand Prix, it’s the climax of the first half of the season in the same way that the actual Grand Prix – at Seoul in December – rounds off the year.
Tough Win takes the Grand Prix (KRA)
It was in the Grand Prix that Tough Win and Smarty Moonhak met for the first and only time to date. Tough Win won that day, with the late Mister Park beating the then two-year-old Smarty Moonhak into third place. Seven months on and things could very well be different this time.
It’s not a match-race. Last year’s winner Yeonseung Daero returns to try to defend his title while double President’s Cup winner Dangdae Bulpae is also among a field of twelve who will contest the 2000 metre race on Sunday.
Here is a full run-down of all the runners, starting with the big two (gate, name, pedigree (runs/1/2/3) sex, age, weight to carry):
Busan Metropolitan City Mayor’s Stakes (K.G3) – Busan Race Park – 2000M – Sunday July 22, 19:40
Tough Win (KRA)
6. Tough Win (USA) [Yonaguska – Maggie May’s Sword (Sword Dance)] (21/17/2/0) G 5 58Kg – Cho Kyoung Ho (Seoul)
Reigning Grand Prix champion and the best horse in Korea at the moment. He won this race as a three-year old in 2010 but then last year inexplicably got sucked into an early speed duel with Dangdae Bulpae and was exhausted by the time he reached the home straight.
That’s unlikely to happen this time as Cho Kyoung Ho has tended to keep him well back in the early stages of recent races. Tough Win suffered his first bleeding attack last time out while carrying a ridiculous 64kg and while the weight won’t be an issue here, just how much that race took out of him might be. He’s worked well though and is the one to beat.
Smarty Moonhak (KRA)
9. Smarty Moonhak (USA) [Smarty Jones – Maderira M’Dear (Black Tie Affair)] (10/8/1/1) C 3 55Kg – Park Tae Jong (Seoul)
We still have no idea how good this colt is. Aside from his debut, the only time he has had to work in a race was in the Grand Prix and, bearing in mind the distance of the race and his tender age at the time, he wasn’t pushed. His races this year have been little more than public workouts.
This will be his first run at Busan where the back straight is more undulating and the home straight longer than that at Seoul and how he deals with these will be key. With regular jockey Moon Jung Kyun injured, Park Tae Jong, who has ridden more winners than anybody else in Korean racing history, gets the ride. With no disrespect intended to Moon, this can only help his cause. In Korea, jockeys wear their own colours, so Park will be wearing blue.
1. Lion Santa (USA) [Lion Heart – Santa Fe Strip (Phone Trick)] (13/10/1/0) C 4 58Kg – Gerrit Schlechter (Busan)
Won his first nine starts but has only won once from three tries this year and has never even attempted further than 1800M. In Gerrit Schlechter, he has the track’s in-form jockey in board and the South African has picked this one over two others. 2. Cheonjidolpung (USA) [Tactical Cat – Luminate (A.P.Indy)] (34/5/0/4) G 7 58Kg – Seo Do Soo (Seoul)
His third consecutive year running in the race, he took advantage of the favourites’ mistakes to finish fourth last year. He will be hard pushed to equal that this year. 3. Yeonseung Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat – Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] (42/16/8/5) H 6 55kg – Choi Si Dae (Busan)
A wonderful horse, one of the best ever at Busan. Took full advantage of Tough Win and Dangdae Bulpae’s mistakes last year to claim a career capping victory and his been winning since. He can never ever be counted out. 4. Adam One (USA) [Sligo Bay – Toddles (Real Courage)] (30/3/3/3) G 5 58Kg – Lee Gi Hweoi (Seoul)
Smarty Moonhak’s work and stablemate, he’s here because there was space both in the race and in the horsebox on the way down. The only horse in Ko Ok Bong’s stable who can keep up with Smarty Moonhak in trackwork, he’ll not be able to in the race. 5. Jeonseong Sidae (AUS) [Stromberg Carlsen – Jessie’s Journey (Crown Jester)] (13/6/4/3) C 4 58Kg – Jo Chang Wook (Busan)
Without a win this year but with plenty of talent. However, an outside chance of a place at best. 7. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki – Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] (24/15/2/1) H 5 55Kg – Jo Sung Gon (Busan)
Last year’s favourite and the two-time President’s Cup winner. An in-form Dangdae Bulpae should be able to live with anybody, including Tough Win and Smarty Moonhak. Whether he can beat them though is another question entirely. Looking at it objectively, the conclusion must be that he can’t. 8. Sangseung Geotap (USA) [Indian Charle – Mirta (Theatrical)] (19/7/2/1) F 4 56Kg – Kanichiro Fujii (Busan)
The only filly in the race won the KNN Trophy last time out but the fact that Gerrit Schlechter has decided to get off her may say somethng about her chances here. 10. Smoking Gun (USA) [Hat Trick – Desdemona’s Dream (Announce)] (5/4/1/0) C 3 55Kg – Yukio Abe (Busan)
The wildcard. Lightly raced but very impressive, this may appear to be too much too soon. However, with Yukio Abe on board and a confident trainer (who also trains Lion Santa), he may be worth an outside bet for a place. 11. Jumong (USA) [Johar – Foreign Aid (Danzig)] (30/9/7/4) H 5 58Kg – Ham Wan Sik (Seoul)
A very solid competitor and half-brother to the late Subsidy, Jumong runs in all the big races. He looks overmatched but has every chance of finishing in a moneying position. 12. Ghost Whisper (KOR) [Gotham City – Emmy’s Lullaby (Unbridled’s Song)] (11/7/3/0) G 4 56Kg – Kim Yong Geun (Busan)
Australian trainer Peter Wolsley lets his new stable star take his chance here, the grey was disqualified last time but otherwise was on a run of three straight wins inclusing two at class 1. Kim Yong Geun is an able rider and he may be worth backing for a place.
Verdict: Tough Win is a very strong competitor and most believed that it would not be until later in the year that Smarty Moonhak would be able to challenge him. Neither has put a foot wrong this year but his progress has been such that Smarty Moonhak can be the one who leaves Busan with the title “Best Horse in Korea”.
* Last year’s Busan Metropolitan was a disaster for jockeys Cho Kyoung Ho and Jo Sung Gon on Tough Win and Dangdae Bulpae respectively. They both get a chance to put things right this year – here’s what happened:
Jigeum I Sungan (Ingrandire) makes his first appearance on the track since winning the Korean Derby in May as he heads the field in Sunday’s Munhwa Ilbo Cup at Seoul Race Park.
Derby winner Jigeum I Sungan makes his re-appearance on Sunday
The 1400 metre race is the main event of what looks set to be a very wet weekend on the peninsula. Here’s what’s happening when and where:
Friday July 13
Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30
Saturday July 14
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:20 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:20
Sunday July 15
Seoul Race Park: 10 races from 11:00 to 17:45 Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:15 to 16:15
Gyeongnam Do-Min Ilbo Stakes could offer Classic Clues
A couple of years ago the Korean Meteorological Administration said there was no point in it trying to predict when it’s going to rain during monsoon season as it’s easier to pick a winner in a maiden pony race on Jeju Island. Or words to that effect. That season began in spectacular fashion last Friday night and we lost a day’s racing at Seoul last Saturday as a result.
It shouldn’t look like this at the weekend but don’t bet against it
We should therefore be cautious about the forecast that predicts a bright and sunny weekend. We can but hope though as Busan Race Park on Sunday plays host to what should be an entertaining renewal of the Gyeongnam Do-Min Ilbo Stakes.
Nine three-year olds join four older horses in the 1800 metre test which serves as a trial for the remaining Classics. Grand Teukgeup (Menifee), Joiner Peace (Menifee) and Over Power (Ft. Stockton) are being run with next month’s Korean Oaks in mind while colts Predict (The Groom Is Red), Nobel Pokpung (Didyme), Dream Tower (Forest Camp) are among those looking towards the Minister’s Cup in three months’ time.
Here’s what’s happening when and where:
Friday July 6
Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30
Saturday July 7
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:20 Jeju Race Park: 8 races from 12:20 to 16:50
Sunday July 8
Seoul Race Park: 10 races from 11:00 to 17:45 Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:15 to 16:45
Dangdae Bulpae, Yeonseung Daero, Lion Santa, Smoking Gun Also Go In “Summer Grand Prix”
It’s been confirmed that Grand Prix Stakes winner and current top-rated horse in Korea Tough Win (Yonaguska) and the horse considered his closest challenger, Smarty Moonhak (Smarty Jones), will both travel to Busan on July 22nd for the Busan Metropolitan City Mayor’s Stakes.
The “Troika”: Tough Win (centre) will be up against Smarty Moonhak (left) in the Busan Metropolitan. The late Mister Park (right), who split them in the Grand Prix, is sorely missed
The race, the south coast’s richest is also known as the “Summer Grand Prix” and it will see Tough Win and Smarty Moonhak face each other for the first time since last December when the then two-year-old Smarty Moonhak finished third behind the victorious Tough Win in the nation’s most prestigious race.
Tough Win was a narrow winner of this race as a three-year-old in 2010. However returning to Busan last year and sent off as the heavy favourite, he inexplicably became involved in an early speed duel with Dangdae Bulpae. This left both horses exhausted in the home straight and allowed Yeonseung Daero to come through for the win.
Yeonseung Daero (Creek Cat) will also be back this year as will Dangdae Bulpae (Biwa Shinseiki), now a two-time President’s Cup winner. Aussie-bred Jeonseong Sidae (Stromberg Carlson) will be there as will prolific winner Lion Santa (Lion Heart) and young US import Smoking Gun (Hat Trick).
While this race is the biggest of the year so far and the clash between Smarty Moonhak and Tough Win the most eagerly awaited since Tough Win himself then the upstart, faced Dongbanui Gangja in the same race two years ago, there is nevertheless a touch of sadness surrounding the occasion.
Were it not for the break-down and death of Mister Park during his tune-up race last month, this would have been a three-way rematch from the Grand Prix. We still have a great race but we will also be remembering the record-breaking champion.
Here are the entries:
Busan Metropolitian City Stakes – Busan Race Park – 2000M, July 22, 2012
Jeonseong Sidae (AUS) [Stromberg Carlson-Jessie’s Journey (Crwon Jester)] (13/6/4/3) Busan Yeonseung Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat-Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] (42/16/8/5) Busan Sangseung Geotap (USA) [Indian Charlie-Mirta (Theatrical)] (19/7/2/1) Busan Smoking Gun (USA) [Hat Trick-Desdemona’s Dream (Announce)] (5/4/1/0) Busan Lion Santa (USA) [Lion Heart-Santa Fe Strip (Phone Trick)] (13/10/1/0) Busan Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki-Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] (24/15/2/1) Busan Gamdonguibada (USA) [Werblin-Radyla (Country Pine)] (7/4/2/1) Busan Smarty Moonhak (USA) [Smarty Jones-Madeira M’Dear (Black Tie Affair)] (10/8/1/1) Seoul Tough Win (USA) [Yonaguska-Maggie May’s Sword (Sword Dance)] (21/17/2/0) Seoul Adam One (USA) [Sligo Bay-Toddles (Real Courage)] (30/3/3/3) Seoul Jumong (USA) [Johar-Foreign Aid (Danzig)] (30/9/7/4) Seoul Cheonjidolpung (USA) [Tactical Cat-Luminate (A.P.Indy)] (34/5/0/4) Seoul
Punters will need to stump up an extra 200 won to get into the track from this weekend as the Korea Racing Authority raises the admission fee to the three racecourses for the first time in ten years. The new fee of 1000 won will also apply to all off-track betting facilities.
KRA Cup Mile winner Gyeongbudaero goes on Sunday (Pic: KRA)
More on that less than Earth-shattering news in a little while but given that it’s still cheaper than a basic subway fare, it is perhaps safe to assume that most punters won’t notice – especially as most use their subway card to get in.
KRA Cup Mile winner Gyeongbudaero (Menifee) makes his first appearance at Busan since running third in the Korean Derby just over a month ago. The colt goes in the second of co-feature races at the southern track on Sunday afternoon against a field of eminently beatable older horses over 2000 metres.
Among them is Peter Wolsley’s old warhorse Khaosan (Sunday Well) and Wolsley saddles another fancy in the earlier co-feature as Secret Whisper (Sea Of Secrets) takes on a very competitive field over 1400 metres.
Up at Seoul there aren’t any stars on show altough both Saturday and Sunday’s feature races are competitive class 1 handicaps.
There’s a chance the monsoon season will begin at some point this weekend so it may be best to pack a raincoat just in case. Here’s what’s happening when and where:
Friday June 29
Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30
Saturday June 30
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:40 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:20 to 17:00
Sunday July 1
Seoul Race Park: 10 races from 11:00 to 17:40 Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:15 to 16:40
We’re still nearly two months away from the Korean Oaks but Seoul’s top three-year old fillies will face off against each other this coming Saturdayin the Sports Seoul Cup, the capital’s top trial for the filly Classic.
Cheoneun winning earlier this year – can she find her form again in the Sports Seoul?
Just nine will run in the race, which will be contested over the Oaks distance of nine furlongs. Cheoneun and Dolpung Jilju are the best known having first made an impact as two-year olds last season. Both were well-beaten in the Derby as were Powerful Miss G and Jjak Kkung.
Improving filly – and commentator’s nightmare – I Love You, will have claims as will Recent High and Dodo Gongju, who’s won four of her six starts. See below for a full run-down of runners and riders.
Down at Busan another three-year old filly headlines the main event. ALthough born in Korea, Dongteuja (Montbrook) was sired overseas and therefore isn’t eligible for the Oaks. If she were, she’d be hot favourite and on Sunday afternoon her unbeaten record of six wins from six starts is on the line against class 1 opposition for the first time.
And she’s going to run slap-bang into two-time President’s Cup winner Dangdae Bulpae (Biwa Shinseiki) in what is going to be by far her toughest test to date. Japanese jockey Narazaki Kosuke gets the ride on the filly.
Here’s what’s happening when and where:
Friday June 22
Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30
Saturday June 23
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:40 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:20 to 17:00
Sunday June 24
Seoul Race Park: 10 races from 11:00 to 17:45 Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:15 to 16:45
Here’s the full list of runners and riders for the Sports Seoul Cup along with pedigree and race records (Runs/1st/2nd/3rd):
Sports Seoul Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – Sunday June 24, 16:15
1. Jjak Kkung (KOR) [Forest Camp – Fab Four (Yes It’s True)] (7/3/0/3) – Lee Sang Hyeok 2. Cheoneun (KOR) [Forest Camp – Naha (Silver Buck)] (11/6/1/0) – Moon Se Young 3. All In Win (KOR) [Pico Central – Better Daze (Glitterman)] (5/3/1/0) – Moon Jung Kyun 4. Recent High (KOR) [Exploit – Charon (Jade Robbery)] (7/3/3/0) – Cho Kyoung Ho 5. Dodo Gongju (KOR) [Sunday Well – Speed Supreme (Formal Gold)] (6/4/0/0) – Kim Jeong Jun 6. I Love You (KOR) [Chief Pete – Make Believe (Defensive Play)] (5/3/0/0) – Park Tae Jong 7. Dolpung Jilju (KOR) [Didyme – Alder Gulch (Gulch)] (10/3/1/1) – Ham Wan Sik 8. Powerful Miss G (KOR) [Revere – Miss Geology (Jade Hunter)] (8/1/3/1) – Shin Hyoung Chul 9. Speedus (KOR) [Menifee – Tourney’s Gold (Ten Gold Pots)] (9/3/2/1) – Jo In Kwen
It’s low-key stuff in the greater scheme of the season but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t plenty for punters to get stuck into this weekend.
The MBN Cup, a non-Stakes and non-Listed feature race on Sunday is the headline at Seoul, although it’s a disappointingly small and star-less field of eight who will go to post for the 1900 metre handicap. Of more interest, perhaps, is Saturday’s feature which sees Ace Galloper (Chapel Royal), with 16 wins from 25 starts, giving a six kilogram advantage to what looks like a competitive field in a seven furlong sprint.
Down at Busan there are double features on Sunday. Yeonseung Daero and Dongseo Jeongbeol are sent out against foreign-bred opposition in the first of these with both looking to have good chances. The second is an ultra-competitive sprint. Peter Wolsley’s Pnata Rhei (Stormy Atlantic) scored a shock win last time out and, with in-form Gerrit Schlechter on board, will have plenty of backers.
Down on Jeju there’s Stakes action for the ponies on Saturday in the form of the Jeju Ilbo Cup. Here’s what’s happening when and where:
Friday June 15
Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30
Saturday June 16
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:40 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:20 to 17:15
Sunday June 17
Seoul Race Park: 10 races from 11:00 to 17:40 Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:15 to 16:40
After what has been a difficult week for Korean racing, Stakes racing returns this weekend and it’s fillies and mares who will take centre stage as Busan plays host to the KNN Cup, the second leg of the “Queens’ Tour”.
Royale Embrace and You Hyun Myung win the Ttukseom Cup, the first leg of the Queens’ Tour (Pic: Ilgan Sports)
There’s a full field of 14, including 7 challengers from Seoul. Kkakjaengi, Geumbi, Imperial Star and the young filly Gamdonguibada all look set to pose a threat to Ttukseom Cup winner Royale Embrace.
Here’s a full run down of the runners and riders with pedigree, race records and jockey (and it’s the only place you’ll see it in English as the KRA’s English site can’t handle races which involve runners from both Seoul and Busan in the same race!
KNN Cup – Busan Race Park – 1600M – June 10, 15:50
1. Malibu Sky (USA) [Malibu Moon – Music Box Dancer (Woodman)] (16/3/2/1) – Narazaki Kosuke (Busan) 2. Gamdonguibada (USA) [Werblin – Radyla (Country Pine)] (6/4/2/0) – Kim Yong Geun (Busan) 3. Dehere Queen (USA) [Dehere – Connamon Girl (Meadowlake)] (16/3/4/2) – Yukio Abe (Busan) 4. Darani (USA) [Saarland – Dusty’s Legacy (Golden Missile)] (20/3/3/5) – Jo Chang Wook (Busan) 5. Kkakjaengi (USA) [Put It Back – Wild Dixie Gal (Wild Event)] – (14/6/3/3) – Shin Hyung Chul (Seoul) 6. Royale Embrace (USA) [Chapel Royal – Embracing Krissy (Kissin Kris)] (15/6/3/1) – Yoo Hyun Myung (Busan) 7. Geumbi (USA)[Ecton Park – Lady Justine (Lit De Justice)] (17/5/5/3) – Han Sung Youl (Seoul) 8. Dangdae Jeonseung (CAN) [Put It Back – Diamond Heirloom (Pembroke)] (7/3/1/1) – Moon Se Young (Seoul) 9. Imperial Star (KOR) [Nihon Pillow Neil – Psychic Girl (Generous)] (15/5/5/3) – Won Jung Il (Seoul) 10. Teukbyeolhwanhui (JPN) [White Muzzle – Western Edge (Woodman)] (26/3/1/6) – Park Tae Jong (Seoul) 11. Blueband Mama (USA) [Purge – Meadow Bryte (Meadow Lake)] (18/2/4/1) – Kim Dong Kyun (Seoul) 12. Gippeumnuri (USA) [Eurosilver – Regatta Queen (Danzig Connection)] (25/4/2/1) – Choi Bum Hyun (Seoul) 13. Sangseung Geotap (USA) [Indian Charlie – Mirta (Theatrical)] (18/6/2/1) – Gerrit Schlechter (Busan) 14. Yeah Strike (KOR) [Yes It’s True – Whisper Bay (Smart Strike)] (28/6/4/2) – Park Si Cheon (Seoul)
And here’s what’s happening when and where on the peninsula:
Friday June 8
Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30
Saturday June 9
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:40 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:20 to 17:00
Sunday June 10
Seoul Race Park: 10 races from 11:00 to 17:45 Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:15 to 16:45
Horse Racing in Korea 