Baekpa, Triple Seven, Lucky Mountain go for Ttukseom Cup

After Baekgwang made a glorious return to the track last year with his career seemingly cruelly cut short, it’s the turn of little sister Baekpa to make her own comeback after an absence of nearly a year and a half.

The 2007 Korean Oaks and 2008 Sports Seoul winner will line up for the Group 3 Ttukseom Cup at Seoul Race Park on Sunday afternoon. She last appeared in the Grand Prix race back in 2008 before being sent for an ill-advised and ill-fated stint in the USA.

The now six-year old grey will have an uphill task to claim a race that used to be considered as the first leg of the Korean Triple Crown. Lucky Mountain, Triple Seven, Namchonuijijon, Baengnyeonbong and Holy Dreamer are among a very competitive field going to post for the race named after the former home of Seoul Racecourse.

The Ttukseom Cup is the highlight of a weekend which also sees Seoul’s best horse in action. Dongbanui Gangja goes in race 11 on Saturday.

Full list of Ttukseom Cup runners and riders (Name/pedigree/age/sex/record/Jockey):

Ttukseom Cup (G.III) – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – Sunday April 11, 2010, 17:00

1. Triple Seven [The Groom is Red – Impudence (Grand Lodge)] 5-H-(25/8/3/6) – Choi Beom Hyun
2. Giant Rose [Pacific Bounty – Kiss My Goldie (Candie’s Gold)] 5-M-(22/5/3/3) – Moon Jung Kyun
3. Baekpa [Revere – Grey Crest (Gold Crest)] 6-M-(22/8/5/2) – Yoo Seung Wan
4. Lucky Mountain [Silent Warrior – Myeonggaheui (Revere)] 5-M-(26/8/7/7) – Park Tae Jong
5. New Rider [Road Of War – Flyin Kristen (Exclusive Gem)] 7-H-(48/6/6/3) – Moon Se Young
6. Baengnyeonbong [Al Naba – Sansovino Art (Mister C.)] 4-C-(16/6/1/5) – Oh Kyoung Hoan
7. Namchonuijijon [Concept Win – Intriga (Lord At Law)] 6-H-(30/6/8/4) – Jung Ki Yong
8. Indiana Dream [Buster’s Daydream – Momento’s Pride (Momento)] 5-H-(24/5/4/3) – Jo In Kwen
9. Khanui Huye [The Groom Is Red – Noble Michelle (Flow Technology)] 4-C-(16/5/3/1) – Ham Wan Sik
10. Lucky Seven [Didyme – Agent Flirt (Double Agent)] 8-G-(31/5/7/2) – Lee Sang Hyeok
11. Holy Dreamer [Duality – Nice Weather (Future Storm)] 4-G-(11/7/0/1) – Shin Hyoung Chul
12. Hallyu Star [Sharp Appeal – Angel (Land Rush)] 7-G-(41/7/6/3) – Choi Won Joon
13. Grandzif [Mujaazif – Knight Blues (Knight’s Choice)] 5-M-(26/4/7/3) – Kim Dong Min
14. Gangho Jewang [Road Of War – Chinsongwon (Glorify)] 5-G-(21/5/2/5) – Yoo Sang Wan

Friday April 9

Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30

Saturday April 10

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

Sunday April 11

Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:20 to 18:10
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:40 to 16:30

Baekpa’s Oaks:

KRA Cup Mile / Tough Win vs Bulpae Gisang / Florida Sox

A massive weekend of racing on the peninsula is headed-up by the first jewel in the 2010 Korean Triple Crown, the KRA Cup Mile at Busan Race Park this Sunday (see full preview below). However, that is just the highlight of an exciting three days of racing.

Florida Sox in the Segye Ilbo Winner's Circle

On Saturday at Seoul, three-year old filly Florida Sox, the impressive winner of the Segye Ilbo Stakes in February, returns to the track when she’ll take on mainly males over 1800 metres – two furlongs further than she’s been before. Whether she can manage two turns will be the decisive factor against beatable opposition.

One horse who took a while to adjust to two turns was Seonbongbulpae, but last year’s champion two-year old was a winner last time out and is back in action on Sunday. Once the KRA Cup Mile is out-of-the-way, Seoul has its own intriguing Sunday feature race. Busan Metropolitan winner Bulpae Gisang, rated second only to Dongbanui Gangja in Korea, will go up against Tough Win, the unbeaten three-year old. The younger horse has been able to cruise to victory in all his outings to date. Now we get a chance to find out how good he really is.

Friday April 2

Busan Race Park: 10 races, first post 12:00, last 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races, first post 13:30, last 17:30

Saturday April 3

Seoul Race Park: 12 races, first post 11:20, last 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:20

Sunday April 4

Seoul Race Park: 11 races, first post 11:20, last 18:10
Busan Race Park: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:35

With the Triple Crown getting underway next weekend, this week sees a low-key three days of racing on the peninsula with the best three-year olds safely in their stables and only three class 1 races; two at Busan, one at Seoul.

Friday’s feature at Busan is over a mile and is an open race with Lucky Dancer, Galmaegi Kkum and old favourite Procyon involved. On Sunday at the Gyeongnam Province track, the main race sees seven go in a handicap rescheduled from two weeks ago when racing was called off following Park Jin Hee’s suicide. King Kephalos and Crafty Louis are joined by Seonnyang Yongsa and the three-year old import Captain Sir over ten furlongs.

At Seoul, Sunday has the pick of the action. Gi Ra Seong is yet to strike this year but is in contention for the feature race along with Taesanbukdu and the now six-year old Namchonuijijon.

Friday March 26

Busan Race Park: 10 races, first post 12:00, last 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races, first post 13:30, last 17:30

Saturday March 27

Seoul Race Park: 12 races, first post 11:20, last 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:20

Sunday March 28

Seoul Race Park: 11 races, first post 11:20, last 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:30

Bally Brae at Seoul, Sangseung Ilro at Busan

Both Bally Brae and Sangseung Ilro will be bidding for back-to-back wins on Sunday as the two star names headline the feature events at Seoul and Busan respectively. Bally Brae put in a commanding performance to see off Baekjeonmupae, three years his junior, back in February to claim his first win in nearly a year. However, the younger horse will be back on Sunday, this time carrying two kilos less than Bally Brae and with another half a furlong to run. Bally Brae will also have to do without the services of regular jockey Moon Se Young, who misses the weekend through suspension.

Sangseung Ilro, last year’s KRA Cup Mile and Derby heroine, has always been fragile but she was back in the winner’s circle for her first run as a four year old in January and now, after two months of rest, she’s back in the Busan feature on Sunday. She’ll be giving at least three kilos to the rest of the eleven strong field – all bar one of whom are male.

Also at Busan on Sunday, highly rated young US imports Aju Joa, Scit Scat Cat and Useung Geotap face each other in the Busan Ilbo Cup race over seven furlongs.

Friday March 19

Busan Race Park: 10 races, first post 12:00, last 18:00
Jeju Race Park (Pony racing): 9 races, first post 13:30, last 17:30

Saturday March 20

Seoul Race Park: 12 races, first post 11:20, last 17:40
Jeju Race Park (Pony racing): 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:10

Sunday March 21

Seoul Race Park: 11 races, first post 11:20, last 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:30

Northern Ace is Back

It’s been a full six months of setback after setback but on Sunday, Northern Ace, possibly the most exciting two-year old of last year finally reappears at Seoul. On his debut, he broke J.S. Hold’s five furlong track record leaving Ace Galloper – a horse who has developed into one of Seoul’s brightest three-year olds – trailing far behind.

His next run came a month later when he cantered away from a woefully outclassed field over six furlongs. That was on August 29. Earlier that day jockey Moon Se Young, who was set to ride him, suffered an injury that would keep him out until December and Cho Kyoung Ho took the mount. Few realised then that the champion jockey would be back on the track before the likely champion juvenile.

Northern Ace was due to face Seonbongbulpae in the Herald Business in early December but racing was called off at the last minute due to a frozen track. When the event was rescheduled for the following weekend he, along with several others, didn’t appear.

There’s a little longer to wait though until we find out if Northern Ace is anything like the horse he threatened to be last year. He goes in the very last race of the weekend at 6pm on Sunday.

Racing gets underway at Busan on Friday although the biggest race at the Southern track is on Sunday when Crafty Louis will put in an appearance. Saturday sees a low-key day of racing at Seoul while Sunday has co-features with Mighty Runner and the recently returned to form Good Day – a horse with fifteen wins from twenty-three outings to his name – among those in action.

Friday March 12

Busan Race Park: 10 races, first post 12:00, last 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races, first post 13:30, last 17:30

Saturday March 13

Seoul Race Park: 12 races, first post 11:20, last 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:10

Sunday March 14

Seoul Race Park: 11 races, first post 11:20, last 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:30

Vicar Love, Lucky Mountain, Seonbongbulpae at Seoul, Namdo Jeap, Yeonseung Daero at Busan

The first racing of March on the peninsula gets underway at Busan on Friday and as ever, it’s set to be a busy weekend.

At Seoul the most valuable races are on Saturday. Vicar Love, Soseono and Lucky Mountain will all be in action.

Namchon Party - faces Seonbongbulpae on Sunday

On Sunday at Seoul, Seonbongbulpae will have another crack at turning round two corners after disappointing in his last two outings. With Moon Se Young riding for the first time, last year’s champion juvenile will need to perform in race 10 if he is to put himself back in the Classic picture. The rejuvenated Namchon Party will be among those out to stop him.

At Busan, the big race is on Sunday as two of last year’s top three-year olds Namdo Jeap and Yeonseung Daero meet once more. They’ll take on a field of overseas-bred runners including Busan legend Golding over nine furlongs.

Friday March 5

Busan Race Park: 10 races, first post 12:00, last 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races, first post 13:30, last 17:30

Saturday March 6

Seoul Race Park: 12 races, first post 11:20, last 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:10

Sunday March 7

Seoul Race Park: 11 races, first post 11:20, last 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:30

Tough Win, Money Car, Ace Galloper all starters

Three year-olds are very much to the fore at Seoul Race Park this Holiday Weekend as several Classic hopefuls – and others who can’t run for the Triple Crown but will be in line for other big prizes – take to the track.

Money Car will aim to take a fifth straight win on Sunday while Bonsol, Kkonnam and Full Step all go in the last on Saturday. Ace Galloper, while not Classic bound, will be going for six straight wins when he goes in race 9 on Sunday.

They could all be upstaged by potentially the best of the lot, US import Tough Win, who is yet to break into a gallop in his four wins to date. He is unlikely to be troubled by any of thirteen rivals in race 10 on Saturday.

Although upstaged by the younger horses, the likes of Bulpae Gisang, Symphony Sonata and Love Cat will all be running in valuable handicaps over the weekend.

At Busan, where if recent history is anything to go by, the Classic winners are likely to come from, promising three-year olds Baekjeom Manjeom and Saeroun Taeyang will face each other on Friday.

Friday February 26

Busan Race Park: 10 races, first post 12:00, last 18:00
Jeju Race Park (Pony racing): 9 races, first post 13:30, last 17:30

Saturday February 27

Seoul Race Park: 12 races, first post 11:20, last 17:40
Jeju Race Park (Pony racing): first post 12:10, last 17:10

Sunday February 28:

Seoul Race Park: 11 races, first post 11:20, last 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:30

Segye Ilbo Stakes / Bally Brae

Seoul Race Park sees its first Stakes action of the year this coming Sunday in the form of the Segye Ilbo Cup, a seven furlong test for foreign bred fillies and mares. Three-year olds Florida Sox, Gwacheon Geojang and Gippeumnuri look among the most exciting entrants and we’ll have a full run down of the runners and riders over the next couple of days.

Bally Brae has a chance on Saturday

On Saturday, Bally Brae takes centre stage as the much-loved gelding who returned to form with a third placed finish behind Dongbanui Gangja last month, looks to have a winning chance in the feature handicap. Baekjeonmupae could provide the biggest danger. On the Classic trail, Korean bred three-year old fillies Secret Woman, Hushtilled and Manjeomhwanhui are in action.

Friday February 19

Busan Race Park: 10 races, first post 12:00, last 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races, first post 13:30, last 17:30

Saturday February 20

Seoul Race Park: 12 races, first post 11:20, last 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:10

Sunday February 21

Seoul Race Park: 11 races, first post 11:20, last 18:10
Busan Race Park: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:30

Baekgwang is the feature attraction of another big weekend of racing on the peninsula. The former Horse of the Year goes in Saturday’s feature at Seoul Race Park where he’ll face stiff competition from the likes of Secret Weapon and Triple Seven and Lucky Mountain.

Also in action over the weekend will be the fast improving US import Jumong, while Seoul Teukgeup, Yodongseong and Galsaem go in Sunday’s feature.

Down at Busan, Namdo Jeap heads up Friday’s card, giving at least five kilos to field of thirteen.

Friday February 5

Busan Race Park: 10 races, first post 12:00, last 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races, first post 13:30, last 17:30

Saturday February 6

Seoul Race Park: 12 races, first post 11:20, last 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:10

Sunday February 7

Seoul Race Park: 11 races, first post 11:20, last 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:30