Racing Previews

Weekend Preview: The Big Boys (& Girls) Are Back

Dangdae Bulpae, Gyeongbudaero, Jigeum I Sungan, Feel So Good, Gamdonguibada, Lion Santa, My Key All in action!

A spectacular weekend of racing by Korean standards is in store this weekend as a whole host of the nation’s top horses will be on show at Seoul and Busan.

Will Yoo Byung Bok be greeting Dangdae Bulpae like this again on Sunday?

Will Yoo Byung Bok be greeting Dangdae Bulpae like this ahgain on Sunday?

The feature race of the weekend is the Busan Ilbo Cup, the first Stakes race of 2013 to be run at Busan. Defending champion Yeonseung Daero (Creek Cat) will be there but it will be a tough ask for him to retain his title with competition in the shape of three-time President’s Cup winner Dangdae Bulpae (Biwa Shinseiki) and KRA Cup Mile winner Gyeongbudaero (Menifee). We’ll have a full preview of the race, including a run-down of each entrant’s chances, up on the blog on Friday.

Friday is when things start off at Busan and there will be a couple of horses worth keeping an eye on. Being the half-brother of US champion Game On Dude, My Key (Macho Uno) has had plenty of expectations placed on him. He’s just started living up to them with two consecutive wins. He goes looking for his 3rd in race 8.

Also on Friday, US import Yonggwanguijehyun (Rockport Harbor) will look for his 6th straight victory when he goes in the finale over 1600M.

Grand Prix Stakes winner Gamdonguibada and Joe Fujii will be reunited on Sunday

Grand Prix Stakes winner Gamdonguibada and Joe Fujii will be reunited on Sunday

In addition to the Busan Ilbo Cup, Sunday at Busan sees a big class 1 handicap and it is in that race where current Grand Prix Stakes winner Gamdonguibada (Werblin) will make her 2013 debut. The 4-year-old filly won’t have things easy though as she’ll take on Lion Santa (Lion Heart) who returned to the track in style after a long lay-off last month.

He has a record of 11 wins from 15 starts and if he’s in the kind of form he’s capable of, he’ll be tough to beat. Throw the ever dependable Viva Ace (Macho Uno) into the mix as well and ou Grand Prix Champion faces a challenging start to her campaign.

His moment again...Jigeum I Sungan

His moment again…Jigeum I Sungan

Up at Seoul there is plenty to keep us occupied too. On Saturday, 2012 Korean Derby winner Jigeum I Sungan (Ingrandire) heads the feature race. He won his season debut last month and while he faces New Year Stakes victor Global Fusion (Menifee), as well as tough campaigners Singgereounachim (Exploit) and Geuma Champ (Vicar), he should be favourite.

On Sunday at Seoul, possibly the hottest property in Korean racing right now makes his second appearance. Feel So Good (Ft.Stockton) spent nearly 2 years in the US and was a winner at Calder in Florida last autumn before being brought back home. He won his Korean debut by 10 lengths and steps up in class and distance in race 7. He should romp it.

Check back tomorrow for the full handicap of Sunday’s Busan Ilbo Cup but in the meantime, here’s what’s happening when and where this weekend:

Friday February 22

Busan Race Park: 11 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday February 23

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:20

Sunday February 24

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:00 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:50 to 17:05 including the Busan Ilbo Cup at 16:15

Weekend Preview – Segye Ilbo Cup

Stakes action returns to Seoul Race Park this weekend in the form of the Segye Ilbo Cup which offers a rare a rare chance for up-and-coming imported fillies and mares to compete for a big prize and a ticket into class 1 racing.

Kkakjaengi won this race 2 years ago and went on to win serious money later

Kkakjaengi won this race 2 years ago and went on to win serious money later

A full field of 14 will line up for the 1400M race including two three-year olds, Pureun Miso (Malibu Moon) who has 3 wins from 5 starts, and Indian Blue (Henny Hughes) who has 2 from 5 but has never been out of the placings.

Late developers are also represented as 4-year old January Queen (Happy Jazz Band), who has won her last 4 races, also takes her chance.

The Segye Ilbo Cup is the highlight of an 11 race card on Sunday at Seoul. There’s plenty going on at all the tracks this weekend though. Down at Busan, the most valuable race of the weekend is on Friday, however, Sunday does see US import Street Event (Street Boss), who won very handily last time to take his record to 4 wins from 6 starts, step up to class 2.

Finally, with Lunar New Year out-of-the-way and just 6 weeks to go until the first Classic of the season, the KRA Cup Mile, it’s time to start keeping a very close eye on the Korean bred three-year old crop. Sunday’s race 4 at Busan and race 7 at Seoul will be ones to keep an eye on

Here’s what’s happening where and when:

Friday February 15

Busan Race Park: 11 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday February 16

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:20

Sunday February 17

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:00 to 18:00 including the Segye Ilbo Cup at 16:35
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:50 to 17:05

Weekend Preview

It’s actually been a rather pleasant week weather-wise on the peninsula and the first weekend of February is set to be the first weekend of the year where the temperature is above 0C.

Here’s what’s happening where and when:

Friday February 1

Busan Race Park: 11 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday February 2

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:20

Sunday February 3

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:00 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:50 to 17:00

Weekend Preview: Lion Santa Back at Busan, Ace Galloper Goes at Seoul

After a slightly warmer week. the temperature is set to plunge back way below zero as another weekend of racing gets underway in Korea.

Going to be very cold and bright again this weekend

Going to be very cold and bright again this weekend

Lion Santa (Lion Heart), who’s won 10 of his 14 starts to date returns to action at Busan on Sunday after a long spell out with injury.

The 5 year old will take on Yeonseung Daero (Creek Cat) and up and coming US import Wild Myeongun (D’Wildcat) among a full field of 14 in the first of co-feature races.

Up at Seoul the biggest name on show across the weekend is Ace Galloper (Chapel Royal). The 6 year-old, who looked to be coming back into form at the tail-end of last season, headlines Sunday’s feature race at the track. Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday January 25

Busan Race Park: 11 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday January 26

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:20

Sunday January 27

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:00 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:50 to 17:00

Weekend Preview: Tough Win, Gyeongbudaero Set For Season Debuts

We didn’t have to wait too long for the big boys to come out the barn and onto the track this year as several of the country’s most well-known horses make their 2013 debuts this weekend.

Tough Win is back

Tough Win is back

Chief among them is Tough Win (Yonaguska). Now a 6-year old, he failed to successfully defend his Grand Prix Stakes title last month but should really be back to winning ways on Sunday at Seoul.

He will, however, be giving 4 kilos to Nolbu Manse (Simon Pure), who also disappointed in the Grand Prix but is a Stakes winner and did finish ahead of Tough Win in the KRA Cup Classic. What should be an entertaining race over 1800 metres is one of co-features at Seoul on Sunday.

The other co-feature sees a return to the track after 6 months of rest for former Champion Filly & Mare Top Point (Tom Cruiser). The 9-year-old will need to be close to her old best though to beat a competitive field of 14 in a handicap which, like its partner feature, will also be run over 1800 metres.

Taking on the foreigners: Gyeongbudaero (Pic: KRA)

Taking on the foreigners: Gyeongbudaero (Pic: KRA)

Down at Busan, Gyeongbudaero (Menifee) is the first of last year’s Classic winners to make his 4-year-old debut. The KRA Cup Mile winner will take on a field of imported horses including consistent winner Viva Ace (Macho Uno).

Owner Jang Kwang Hwa also owns Yeonseung Daero and took a very similar approach with him when he reached 4 years old.

Korean bred horses receive a weight allowance when running against imports and, while Yeonseung Daero has won nowhere near the number of races he would most likely have done had he just raced his compatriots, he has had more than his fair share of success and his career has been a delight to watch. Hopefully we are in for more of the same with Gyeongbudaero.

Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday January 11

Busan Race Park: 11 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday January 12

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:20

Sunday January 13

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:00 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:50 to 17:00

Weekend Preview / 2013 Fixtures

The first racing of the year in Korea gets underway this weekend with an unusual set of cards. As Jeju Island takes the week off, Busan will host 12 races on Friday and 5 on Sunday while Seoul run 14 on Saturday and 10 on Sunday.

Still a lot of snow on the ground as 2013 begins

Still a lot of snow on the ground as 2013 begins

The big race of the weekend is the New Year’s Commemorative Stakes at Seoul on Saturday afternoon. The 1800 metre race sees Sand Jjang (Forest Camp) with 5 wins from 6 starts head a competitive looking field of 13.

On Friday at Busan, My Key (Macho Uno), half-brother to Game On Dude, makes his first appearance since breaking his maiden a month ago. He steps up in class in race 6. Busan’s feature races of the weekend are on Sunday with a pair of class 1 handicaps.

It’s been a bone-numbingly cold week on the Korean peninsula with temperatures averaging around -14C since Christmas. However, while it is still set to be below freezing throughout the weekend, it shouldn’t be quite as bad as it has been.

Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday January 4

Busan Race Park: 12 races from 12:00 to 18:00

Saturday January 5

Seoul Race Park: 14 races from 11:00 to 17:45

Sunday January 6

Seoul Race Park: 10 races from 11:00 to 17:50
Busan Race Park: 5 races from 12:50 to 16:50

* A few people have been in touch asking about 2013 race fixtures. They have been published and I’ll be updating the fixture list as soon as I get a chance. In the meantime, the calendar can be downloaded direct from the KRA website for Seoul and for Busan.

Weekend Preview: Busan & Jeju Only

There’s no racing in Seoul as Busan takes centre stage on the last weekend of 2012. Just like last week, the only racing in Korea on Friday is the ponies on Jeju Island as Busan runs a short 6 race card on Saturday and then a bumper 14 race program on Sunday.

Busan Racecourse can be a lonely place, but it's the only place to be for thoroughbred racing in Korea this weekend

Busan Racecourse can be a lonely place, but it’s the only place to be for thoroughbred racing in Korea this weekend

A few of Busan’s bigger names will be on show across the weekend. 2008 Korean Derby winner Ebony Storm, still going strong as a seven-year old, goes on Saturday, while multiple Stakes winner Yeonseung Daero makes an appearance in one of Sunday’s co-features. A host of up and coming tw-year olds, both Korean-bred and imported, will also be on show both days.

This weekend also sees American trainer Joe Murphy bow out of Korea after a challenging two years. Murphy will saddle his last runner when six-year old Atanarjuat goes in Sunday’s last race.

Friday December 28

Jeju Race Park: 12 races from 12:00 to 18:00

Saturday December 29

Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:30 to 17:30
Jeju Race Park: 8 races from 11:00 to 17:00

Sunday December 30

Busan Race Park: 14 races from 11:00 to 17:50

Weekend Preview: Seoul & Jeju Only

Busan is the first of the tracks to take a week off for the holidays but that still leaves thoroughbreds at Seoul and ponies on Jeju for the Korean punting public to get stuck into this weekend.

As the sole track running on Friday, Jeju plays host to 12 races, both run on Sunday while Seoul is the lone attraction on Sunday with 14 races – the track’s maximum – on offer.

Ace Galloper won the KRA Cup Classic last year - he headlines Sunday's marathon card at Seoul

Ace Galloper won the KRA Cup Classic last year – he headlines Sunday’s marathon card at Seoul

There’s not really a lot to tie-up this weekend. All Stakes races are behind us and Moon Se Young has the champion jockey title sewn up. Likewise, Menifee is leading sire by an unprecedentedly huge margin.

Saturday’s card at Seoul is not especially inspiring. Aside from the Korean debut of Feel So Good, the first Korean bred horse to win in the us, there are a lot of two-year olds will be on display although the feature race is a low-key class 2 handicap. Sunday’s marathon card holds a bit more promise. Ace Galloper (Chapel Royal) head the field for a class 1 handicap.

The big five-year old. who has won 17 of his 29 starts, is without a victory since the summer and is up against a competitive looking field that includes prolific winners Magnifique (Menifee) and Tongjesa (Creek Cat).

It’s going to be another bitterly cold weekend but the sun will be out. Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday December 21

Jeju Race Park: 12 races from 12:00 to 18:00

Saturday December 22

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:00 to 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 6 races from 12:20 to 16:10

Sunday December 23

Seoul Race Park: 14 races from 11:00 to 17:50

Weekend Preview
Joe Fujii might have won the Grand Prix last week but that doesn't stop him neing suspended this week

Joe Fujii might have won the Grand Prix last week but that doesn’t stop him being suspended this week

This weekend always has something of an after the Lord Mayor’s Show feel of things. While Gamdonguibada’s last gasp victory in the Grand Prix Stakes at Seoul last Sunday was the end of season showpiece, Korean racing never really stops and all three of Seoul, Busan and Jeju host cards this weekend.

While the feature races are on Sunday, unbeaten two-year old Watts Village (Forestry) is in action at Seoul on Saturday, looking to finish his juvenile year with his fifth straight win. The TJK Trophy winner should have too much for his rivals over 1900 metres, however, Sunday’s class 1 handicaps at both Seoul and Busan look competitive.

Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday December 14

Busan Race Park: 11 races from 11:50 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday December 15

Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:00 to 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:20 to 17:10

Sunday December 16

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:00 to 17:50
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:15 to 16:35

Grand Prix 2012: The Runners And Riders

It might be sub-zero but it doesn’t get bigger than this in Korean racing. After public vote decided upon the invitations, thirteen horses will line-up for the Grand Prix Stakes, the traditional end of season showpiece, at Seoul Race Park this Sunday.

Defending champion Tough Win heads the Grand Prix field (KRA)

Defending champion Tough Win heads the Grand Prix field (KRA)

Last year’s champion Tough Win returns to defend his title but he’ll face stiff competition from three-time President’s Cup winner Dangdae Bulpae. They are joined by a host of other Stakes winners in Korea’s most prestigious race.

Dangdae Bulpae: Three time President's Cup winner now chases the Grand Prix

Dangdae Bulpae: Three time President’s Cup winner now chases the Grand Prix

The conditions are going to be challenging. The first of this winter’s extreme cold snaps is crossing the peninsula right now with temperatures not expected to reach anything higher than -6C during the day. Ground staff will be working through the night to ensure the track is raceable.

Here is the full list of runners and riders (name [pedigree] Sex Age (Runs/1st/2nd/3rd) – Jockey):

Grand Prix (KOR G1) – Seoul Race Park – 2300M – December 9, 2012, 16:15

1. Useung Touch (KOR) [Menifee – Jenny Tudor (Gulch)] F 4 (18/6/6/1) – Lim Sung Sil (Busan)
She won the Korean Oaks in 2011 but while she’s been a solid money winner since, she’s always found one or two quicker and this will probably be the same again.

2. Gamdonguibada (USA) [Werblin – Radyla (Country Pine)] F 3 (9/5/2/2) – Kanichiro Fujii (Busan)
A real potential star in the making. She’s the champion filly & mare of this year and should have no trouble with the distance. In Joe Fujii, she has one of the best jockeys in the peninsula on board and if the twi favourites have a bad day, she could be the one to capitalize.

3. Sing Sing Cat (USA) [D’Wildcat – Freddy Fenter (Fenter) C 4 (20/9/3/1) – Lee Sang Hyeok (Seoul)
Upset Tough Win in the KRA Cup Classic and therefore must command respect. Will love the distance and, while we must assume that Tough Win will be given a better ride than he was that day, he could be one to watch.

4. Seungniuihamseong (KOR) [Vicar – Hug And Kiss (Commander In Chief)] F 4 (19/6/2/1) – Seo Seung Un (Seoul)
She was a creditable fourth in the President’s Cup but she’s going to have to show some improvement to match that performance here.

5. Dangdae Bulpae (KOR) [Biwa Shinseiki – Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] H 5 (27/18/2/1) – Jo Sung Gon (Busan)
Now a three-time President’s Cup winner and has won more prize-money than any other horse in Korean racing history. The only question is the distance. Two years ago, he didn’t stay. Last time he didn’t even try. If he stays, he wins.

6. Nolbu Manse (USA) [Simon Pure – Reason To Fear (Kris S.)] C 3 (15/5/3/3) – Ham Wan Sik (Seoul)
A very nice looking colt who was second to Sing Sing Cat in the KRA Cup Classic. The distance is a slight concern but he is a potential value bet for at least a place.

7. Sydney Jewelry (AUS) [Lion Heart – Rivendelle (Charnwood Forest)] C 3 (9/6/1/0) – Moon Se Young (Seoul)
A real up and comer, he was a surprise entry. He comes off the back of two consecutive wins over 1900 metres and looks eager for more. This might be a few months early for him but the big names are going to need to be at their best to beat him

8. Smoking Gun (USA) [Hat Trick – Desdemona’s Dream (Announce)] C 3 (8/5/1/1) – Narazaki Kosuke (Busan)
Won his first four starts and has been lightly campaigned. Has been beaten by a number of his rivals here but is highly thought of and in Narazaki Kosuke, has aruguably the most in form jockey on the peninsula on board.

9. Tamna Hwangje (USA) [Montbrook – Morada Bay (Cape Town)] C 4 (17/8/3/0) – You Hyun Myoung (Busan)
Is generally at his best over shorter distances though has wins over many of his rivals here. Will likely be an outsider.

10. Tough Win (USA) [Yonaguska – Maggie May’s Sword (Sword Dance)] G 5 (24/18/2/1) – Jun Duck Yong (Seoul)
The defending champion. If he is on his game, then he will be very hard to beat. He’ll have a different jockey on board for only the second time but, after he was given an awful ride in the KRA Cup Classic, that may be no bad thing. He will need to be at his absolute best to beat Dangdae Bulpae.

11. Jumong (USA) [Johar – Foreign Aid (Danzig)] H 5 (33/9/7/6) – Oh Kyoung Hoan (Seoul)
A regular runner-up, the half-brother of 2005 winner Subsidy is almost guaranteed to be in the mix at the end. It’s unlikely that he’ll win, but he is always competitive.

12. Sangnyu (USA) [Broken Vow – Midtown Miss (Yes It’s True)] F 3 (12/3/3/1) – Park Tae Jong (Seoul)
Winner of the YTN Cup in the summer and third behind Gamdonguibada in the Governor’s Cup last time out, she has plenty of talent but will be an outsider here.

13. Nobel Pokpung (KOR) [Didyme – Shar Baby (Talinum)] C 3 (13/4/3/2) – Kim Do Heon (Busan)
This colt really should have a far better win record. Second in the Korean Derby and seemingly crying out for more distance, he’ll certainly have that here. Others should be faster though and disappointing performances in both the Minister’s and President’s Cup make him a hard horse to back.

Sunday December 8

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:00 to 17:55 including the Grand Prix Stakes at 16:15
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:15 to 16:40