Racing Previews

Weekend Preview

Herald Business / Grand Prix
It’s Grand Prix weekend at Seoul and, after last week’s cancellation, the Herald Business is being run on Saturday. However, just five two year olds will line up for the juvenile championship and among the three who have dropped out during the week is Northern Ace. This leaves Seonbongbulpae as the overwhleming favourite to take the crown.

We’ll have a full preview of the Grand Prix over the next couple of days.

Busan Race Park

Friday December 11: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday December 13: 6 races, first post 12:30, last 16:15

Seoul Race Park

Saturday December 12: 12 races, first post 11:10, last 17:55
Sunday December 13: 11 races, first post 11:10, last 17:55

Jeju Race Park (Pony racing)

Saturday December 12: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:15
Sunday December 13: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:35

Weekend Preview: Moon Se Young is Back

Herald Business at Seoul / Owner’s Cup at Busan
December is upon us and no doubt the KRA will have its Christmas tree up at the track this weekend. And there’s some cracking racing in prospect at both ends of the country.

At Seoul, the Champion two-year old title is on the line in one of the most hotly anticipated matchups of the year as Northern Ace takes on Seonbongbulpae (see full preview). Down at Busan, it’s Areumdaun Jilju and Yeonseung Daero going for the Owner’s Cup (see full preview).

2008 Champion jockey Moon Se Young makes his return from injury on Saturday. On August 29 he was thrown from two year old filly Raipai as she bolted out of the gate and into the rail leaving Moon with severely damaged knee ligaments. Initially it was thought he would be out until early next year but after successful surgery – and a restorative trip to the Breeders’ Cup in Santa Anita – Moon makes his return on Helmitonia in the first race on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, Symphony Sonata makes his debut at elite level. The E. Dubai colt will head the weights along with Taesan Bukdu and Namchonuijijon in a ten furlong handicap.

Busan Race Park

Friday December 4: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday December 6: 6 races, first post 12:30, last 16:15

Seoul Race Park

Saturday December 5: 12 races, first post 11:10, last 17:45
Sunday December 6: 11 races, first post 11:10, last 17:55

Jeju Race Park (Pony racing)

Saturday December 5: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:25
Sunday December 6: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:25

Among the many predictions that Gyongmaman got wrong last week was the weather, however, this week he can confidently say it is going to be very cold. It may even snow on Saturday. Come Racing! But wrap up very warm!

Northern Ace Vs Seonbongbulpae

Two-Year Olds Get Down To Business
Last week, Night Moves landed the Champion Juvenile title at Busan. This Sunday it’s the turn of Seoul to award its prize as eight two-year olds go to post for the Herald Business Cup.

And it is a race that punters have been looking to since the summer as the two outstanding juveniles Northern Ace and Seonbongbulpae go head-to-head for the first time. So far both have been flat-track bullies, Seonbongbulpae racking up three wins from three and Northern Ace winning both of his starts by ridiculous margins whilst barely breaking into a canter.

However, Northern Ace now holds the five furlong track record, putting away Ace Galloper, who has gone on to record some impressive wins himself, by ten lengths in the process. Seonbongbulpae has been equally visually impressive. Now it’s crunch time.

Northern Ace hasn’t appeared since August. On that day, he was due to be partnered by champion jockey Moon Se Young. Moon, however, suffered a bad injury in an earlier race and Cho Kyoung Ho picked up the mount. Moon will coincidentally return to the track for the first time this weekend, but it is Cho who retains the ride. Seonbongbulpae has run and won an extra race.

Among the others, Full Step looks promising, but was found out a little when facing older horses last time out. Hushtilled, Yodongjewang and Silver Mon have, like all of the runners, won at least once, but none look likely to be able to live with the two favourites.

Nevertheless, the last time we billed a top Korean contest as being a match-race, it was Areumdaun Jilju Vs Gaeseon Janggun in the Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup at Busan. Both were left embarrassed by unfancied Yeongung Manse.

Click here for past performance information (in Korean). Here’s the full list of runners and riders (Name/pedigree/sex/records/jockey):


Herald Business Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1200M – Dec 6, 2009, 16:45

1. Slew Bubble [Field Asuka – Simple Charm (Capote)] F (6/1/1/1) – Kim Cheol Ho
2. Muhandeunggeuk [Trick Of Fate – Odelia (Canny Lad)] C (5/1/1/0) – Kim Dong Cheol
3. Full Step [Didyme – Fox Dance (Foxtrail)] C (3/2/1/0) – Oh Kyoung Hoan
4. Yodongjewang [Field Asuka – Mary Wonder (Shahrastani)] C (3/1/1/1) – Choi Beom Hyun
5. Silver Mon [Distilled – Silver Fizz (Cee’s Tizzy)] C (2/1/0/0) – Boo Min Ho
6. Seonbongbulpae [Newsprint – Jeseok (Lost Mountain)] C (3/3/0/0) – Jo In Kwen
7. Northern Ace [Didyme – Telegraph Road (Royal Academy)] C (2/2/0/0) – Cho Kyoung Ho
8. Hushtilled [Distilled – Miss Alwuhush (Alwuhush)] F (6/1/2/1) – Moon Se Young

* The 2008 edition of the race was won by Nice Choice who went on to become Seoul’s top three-year old this year. Narrowly missing out on winning a classic, he landed the prestigious Group 1 President’s Cup last month. Whoever wins this year’s race is likely to come up against him at some stage in 2010.

Yeonseung Daero Set to Shine in Cup

Yeongung Manse, Areundaum Jilju, Pangpang also up for Owner’s Cup
Areumdaun Jilju and Yeonsung Daero could have been in Seoul next week contesting the Grand Prix, arguably the peninula’s most prestigious race. Instead they have elected to stay home in Busan where their presence ensures a quality line-up in this coming Sunday’s Busan Owner’s Cup.

While it means the home-bred assault on the Grand Prix will be understrength, given that Yeonseung Daero and Areumdaun Jilju were both beaten in the Metropolitan by Bulpae Gisang – a horse who will be second favourite at best at Seoul next week – perhaps it is an understandable decision.

That’s not to say it will be a two-horse race. Yeongung Manse, though fifth in the Metropolitan, beat Areumdaun Jilju in September and can’t be ruled out. Top Grade makes his first appearance in elite company and is well handicapped. Meanwhile, Glory Champ has won his last two races, both over this distance.

Also well handicapped is the only filly in the race. Pangpang stunned Sangseung Ilro to win the Oaks on a hot evening in August. In her two outings since,she hasn’t troubled the placings but she’s proved she can perform. Galsaek Teukgeup looks outclassed while Conqueror, Sandeomi and Viva Canon, while proven winners, have struggled of late.

It all points to a golden opportunity for Yeonseung Daero, who underperformed in the classics and suffered a near miss in the Metropolitan, to start living up to his undoubted potential.

The race is off at 15:20 on Sunday afternoon and is race 5 of a six-race card. Busan also holds a card on Friday. Seoul will host racing on Saturday and Sunday with the Herald Business topping the bill on Sunday. We’ll have a full preview of that race tomorrow.

Click here for past performance information (in Korean). Here’s a full list of the runners and riders (Name/sex/age/record/weight/jockey):

Owner’s Cup – Busan Race Park – 2000M – Dec 6, 2009 – 15:20

1. Glory Champ [Whywhywhy – Tapas (Sky Classic)] C 4 (16/8/2/0) 55.5kg – Yoo Hyun Myoung
2. Top Grade [Texas Glitter – Potential Storm (Cape Town)] G 3 (9/6/2/0) 53.5kg – Jo Sung Gon
3. Viva Canon [Tahamkke – Special Craft (Crafty Prospector)] C 3 (16/3/4/2) 50kg – Kim Yong Geun
4. Yeongung Manse [Sharp Appeal – Saratogasplash (Wild Again)] G 3 (18/9/3/2) 57kg – Jo Chang Wook
5. Conqueror [Revere – Model Actress (Stage Colony)] C 3 (14/4/3/0) 50kg – Martin Wepner
6. Sandeomi [Commendable – Regal Meg (Regal Classic)] C 3 (12/5/1/1) 50kg – Kim Eu Su
7. Galsaek Teukgeup [Belong To Me – Parish Land (Deputy Minister)] C 3 (10/1/3/3) – 50kg – Seo In Seob
8. Pangpang [Revere – Awishnotalark (Rio’s Lark)] F 3 (18/4/1/1) 50kg – Han Sang Gyu
9. Yeonseung Daero [Creek Cat – Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] C 3 (16/8/2/2) 56.5kg – Park Geum Man
10. Areumdaun Jilju [Didyme – Chills Of Nepal (Nepal)] H 5 (22/14/3/2) 59kg – Jo Chan Hoon

* In 2008, this race was won by one time KRA Cup Classic winner and track stalwart Luna. The eight year old mare was retired last month after a career of thirty-three outings, with thirteen wins, five seconds and two thirds. Her last race was a win over seven furlongs at class 1 on November 13.

Grand Prix Line-Up Takes Shape

Nice Choice and Yeonseung Daero-shaped holes
Let’s first get who’s not going to be there out of the way, so that when we have the final preview next week, we can focus on those who will be taking part in the race that traditionally brings the curtain down (for a few days anyway) on the Korean racing season.

Racing fans had their vote and the KRA sent out the invitations accordingly but, in the year that the inclusion of Busan horses makes the Grand Prix truly the test to find the peninsula’s top horse, a number of those who should be there won’t be.

Nice Choice was second in the poll, but he won’t be there. Neither will Areumdaun Jilju, Yeonseung Daero or Sangseung Ilro from Busan. The former two will run in the Busan Owner’s Cup on December 6, while Sangseung Ilro’s legs are not up to the rigours of 2300 metres around Seoul in winter.

Yeonseung Daero’s absence may be felt the most. Sent off favourite in the KRA Cup Mile and highly fancied for the Derby, he missed out both times but there are strong suspicions that he may be on the verge of producing something special – many punters felt that he had Choi Beom Hyun been riding him, rather than Bulpae Gisang in the Busan Metropolitan last month, the result would have been different.

Those who will skip the event may be forgiven, however. Dongbanui Gangja has been in imperious form this year. Six runs, six wins. He’s a closer rather than a front-runner and that usually leads to butterflies but he has swatted away all comers this year in dismissive fashion. Stepping back up to 2300 metres is unliklely to faze him and it is difficult to see him being beaten.

Bally Brae is back to try. A winner once and second twice, he landed a couple of win earlier in the year but has suffered recently. There was speculation that he might be given a long break but the lure of the Grand Prix has proved too much for his connections. As ever, he will give his all and if he pulls it off, there won;t be a dry eye in the house (…maybe). Of the Seoul contingent though, Dongbanui Gangja’s stablemate, Bulpae Gisang, Busan Metropolitan winner, may be his greatest danger.

From Busan, Gaeseon Janggun, winner of the 2008 Minister’s Cup will fly the flag for Korea while Crafty Louis and King Kephalos are both solid performers. Haengbok Dream has potential while Rolling On Strong is set to be the only filly or mare in the race.

Here’s the full list of confirmed entries so far (Name/Pedigree/Sex/Age/Record):

Seoul

Yaho TS (USA) [Roar Of The Tiger – Propeller (Lear Fan)] C – 3 (15/4/1/1)
Bally Brae (USA) [Yarrow Brae – Political Bluff (Unaccounted For)] G – 7 (31/15/10/1)
Ugildongja (KOR) [Dixie Dot Com – May Roses (Incinderator)] H – 5 (32/10/5/1)
Dongbanui Gangja (USA) [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)] C – 4 (21/14/4/2)
Bulpae Gisang (USA) [Lightnin N Thunder – Neat Trick (Clever Trick)] C – 3 (12/7/2/0)

Busan

Haengbok Dream (JPN) [Lammtarra – Sister Slew (Slew The Dragon)] C – 3 (11/4/4/2)
King Kephalos (JPN) [King Glorious – Western Edge (Woodman)] G – 4 (19/8/3/3)
Gaeseon Janggun (KOR) [Duality – Diamond Star (Dixieland Band)] C – 4 (18/9/4/1)
Rolling On Strong (USA) [Werblin – Gracie Gale (Opening Verse)] F – 3 (12/4/1/3)
Crafty Louis (USA) [Louis Quatorze – Crafty Atlantic (Crafty Prospector)] G – 6 (34/13/4/2)

Here’s Dongbanui Gangja winning last year from Bally Brae in second and Myeongmun Gamun in third:

Weekend Preview

It’s set to be a good one. Down at Busan, the Juvenile Championship is on the line while at Seoul, a pair of top races on Saturday and Sunday ensure a fascinating weekend is in prospect.

Busan kicks things off on Friday, with ten races topped off by a class 1 handicap over a mile, featuring a number of three-year olds that, for varying reasons, missed out on the top prizes in the Triple Crown. At some point this year, Impeccable, Mupae Star, Suryeohan, Tamna Hero and Bukgeukseong all looked set to go on and land some really bug prozes. One of them has the opportunity to do so here.

Sunday is the Busan Breeders’ Cup, the southern track’s top race for two-year olds. Four colts and five fillies will go to post at 15:20 for the six furlong test. Among them will be the unbeaten pair of Night Moves and Super Jilju.

Seoul races, as ever, on Saturday and Sunday and both days boast a top class feature race. On Saturday some of the track’s top Korean bred horses go for a big prize over 2000 metres. Gi Ra Seong, Top Point, Hwangnyongsaji, Free Woody and Blue Pin are among those with claims in what looks an intriguing contest. Earlier in the day, YTN Cup winner Soseono will also be in action.

On Sunday, it’s the turn of overseas bred horses to take centre stage. Gamadongja, Vicar Love, Coleraine, Serendipper, Khanui Jeonseol and Tiffanyuikkum all go over the Grand Prix distance of 2300 metres.

Not to be forgotten is the Jockey’s Championship. Just five winners separate Cho Kyoung Ho, Park Tae Jong and Choi Beom Hyun at the top of the standings wiht just four weekends left. All three have near full books of competitive rides in the most open Championship race for years.

Busan Race Park

Friday November 27: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday November 29: 6 races, first post 12:30, last 16:15

Seoul Race Park

Saturday November 28: 12 races, first post 11:10, last 17:45
Sunday November 29: 11 races, first post 11:10, last 17:45

Jeju Race Park (Pony racing)

Saturday November 28: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:25
Sunday November 29: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:25

To make things even better, the weather is set to be mild with temperatures hovering around 10C above zero and no rain forecast for all three days. Come Racing!

Weekend Preview

It’s Nonghyup Cup day on Sunday and, while there’s disappointment that Baekpa, back in Korea after her dispiriting summer in the US, doesn’t go, Sunday’s big race should still be an entertaining climax to a busy weekend of racing on the peninsula.

We’ll have a full preview of the race over the next couple of days:

Busan Race Park

Friday November 20: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday November 22: 6 races, first post 12:30, last 16:15

Seoul Race Park

Saturday November 21: 12 races, first post 11:10, last 17:45
Sunday November 22: 11 races, first post 11:10, last 17:55

Jeju Race Park (Pony racing)

Saturday November 21: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:25
Sunday November 22: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:25

Baekgwang Must Overcome The Odds Again

President’s Cup – Nice Choice strongly fancied to spoil fairytale ending to incredible comeback
As the start of 2009, although it was well-known that Baekgwang, champion three-year old of 2006, had undergone stem-cell treatment, few dared to hope that the much-loved grey would even return to the track, yet alone show something of his old form.

Return he did, however, running fourth in the SBS Cup in August. This was followed by a battling second place to Gi Ra Seong in September and then finally, last month picking off a class 1 handicap to find himself back in the winners’ circle following a characteristic come-from-behind run. On Sunday afternoon the six-year-old will line up against the track’s top Korean bred horses in the President’s Cup -the “Dae-Tong-Lyong-Bae” where the season’s top three-year olds meet the best older horses.

With the “Po-In-Ma Troika” of Secret Weapon, Gi Ra Seong and Top Point all ineligible (having been conceived overseas), Baekgwang has a good shot at landing the biggest prize of his career. However, there are plenty of talented runners out to stop him.

Nice Choice is the track’s top three-year old. After a poor run in the Derby, he finally showed his class by wining August’s Ilgan Sports. Just edged out in the Minister’s Cup by Namdo Jeap – and finishing ahead of Sangseung Ilro – he is the one to beat here. Second in the Ilgan was another three-year old, Khanui Jeguk. He went on to win the Munhwa Ilbo and, like Nice Choice, he’ll have a big weight advantage over the older horses.

Aside from Baekgwang, Natural Nine is one of those older entrants who must be considered as must Ttukseom Cup winner Mighty Runner. Triple Seven, who will have a lot of backers, and Wontagui Gisa have also both shown this year that they know what to do in the final furlong.

At post time tomorrow, however, all eyes will be on stall number 7. If Baekgwang can somehow pull this off, even the most hard-bitten of punter will raise a smile.

Here’s a full list of runners and riders:

Name/Pedigree/Age/Record/Jockey – All are Korean bred.

President’s Cup (KOR. G.I) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – Nov 15, 2009 – 16:45

1. Natural Guy [Social Charter – Rocky Stream (Reprimand)] 4 (16/4/6/1) – Yoo Sang Wan
2. Nice Choice [Lost Mountain – Betty’s Rhapsody (Don’t Hesitate)] 3 (11/7/3/0) – Cho Kyoung Ho
3. Nice Good [Concept Win – Whenisitmyturn (Never Tabled)] 4 (19/5/4/4) – Shim Seung Tae
4. Wontagui Gisa [Fiercely -Grove Lady (Varick)] 5 (22/6/2/4) – Jung Ki Young
5. Baengnokjeong [Slew O’Green – Lesu Run (Proper Reality)] 6 (26/7/2/3) – Hwang Soon Do
6. Khanui Jeguk [Sunday Well – Lucky Dip (Didyme)] 3 (12/5/2/1) – Shin Hyoung Cheol
7. Baekgwang [The Groom Is Red – Grey Crest (Gold Crest)] 6 (20/10/6/3) – Park Tae Jong
8. Natural Nine [Revere – C. Bop (Aly Dark)] 5 (24/7/5/5) – Moon Jung Kyun
9. Triple Seven [The Groom Is Red – Impudence (Grand Lodge)] 4 (21/5/3/5) – Choi Beom Hyun
10. Saebyeok Achim [Social Charter – Cheongpa (The Rogers Four)] 4 (26/5/6/3) – Park Byoung Yoon
11. Lucky Seven [Didyme – Agent Flirt (Double Agent)] 7 (27/5/7/1) – Lee Sang Hyeok
12. Mighty Runner [Pacificbounty – Roan All Over (Fight Over)] 5 (25/7/3/7) – Yoon Tae Hyuk
13. Huimang Energy[Ft. Stockton – Doneitmyway (Northern Flagship)] 5 (19/7/3/4) – Ham Wan Sik
14. New Rider [Road Of War – Flyin Kristen (Exclusive Gem)] 6 (43/5/5/2) – Yoshiyuki Aoki

Weekend Preview

It’s President’s Cup weekend at Seoul Race Park with the big race off at 16:45 on Sunday. It will be the culmination of an as ever busy weekend of racing on the Korean peninsula which gets under way at Busan on Friday.

We’ll have a full preview of the President’s Cup on the site tomorrow.

Busan Race Park

Friday November 13: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday November 15: 6 races, first post 12:30, last 16:15

Seoul Race Park

Saturday November 14: 12 races, first post 11:10, last 17:45
Sunday November 15: 11 races, first post 11:10, last 17:55

Jeju Race Park (Pony racing)

Saturday November 14: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:25
Sunday November 15: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:25

Weekend Preview

There was a brief flirtation with winter across the Korean peninsula this week as temperatures dropped below freezing on Monday and Tuesday. Trackwork on Monday morning can’t have been much fun but it’s warmed up again now and we’re back in the mid twenties as Busan gets the weekend’s racing underway on Friday afternoon.

Seoul ended up racing under floodlights last weekend and brings the first race forward by ten minutes this time. Free Hugs and Pocketful of Money will be in action on what is a reasonably low-key two days of racing in the capital prior to next week’s President’s Cup. One to watch out for is two year old Full Step who goes in race 8 on Sunday.

Busan Race Park

Friday November 6: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday November 8: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:30

Seoul Race Park

Saturday November 7: 12 races, first post 11:10, last 17:45
Sunday November 8: 11 races, first post 11:10, last 17:45

Jeju Race Park (Pony Racing)

Saturday November 7: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:15
Sunday November 8: 10 races, first 12:30, last 17:15