Racing Previews

Gaeseon Janggun, Areumdaun Jilju Meet At Last

Oaks Winner Pangpang Joins Governor’s Cup Showdown
While the International Jockey Invitational tops the bill at Seoul this coming weekend, Busan plays host to one of its biggest races of the season on Sunday in the form of the Group 3 Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup.

Unusually for Korea – and especially for a big race – only five horses will go to post at 3:45 on Sunday afternoon. Indeed, while the minimum allowable field size was reduced to five earlier this year, this is the first race to draw such a small number.

The five that will go, however, are well worth having the stage to themselves as Gaeseon Janggun and Areumdaun Jilju, rated the top two Korean bred horses at Busan meet for the very first time. It’s a long awaited contest between the lightly raced duo as injury to one of the other has kept them apart so far. Gaeseon Janggun won the Minister’s Cup last season while Areumdaun Jilju became the top horse at the track last season, routinely beating both Korean and Overseas bred runners. Both are unbeaten in their few appearances this season.

They will be joined by Oaks winner Pangpang, who stunned KRA Cup Mile and Derby winner Sangseung Ilro in the filllies’ Classic last month. Three year old improver Conqueror and prolific four year old Yeongung Manse flesh out the field.

Gyeongnam Governor’s Cup (G.III) – Busan Race Park – 1800M – Sep 13, 2009: 15:45

1. Gaeseon Janggun (KOR) [Duality – Diamond Star (Dixieland Band)] – C 4 – (15/8/3/1) – Jo Sung Gon
Second in the first two legs of the 2008 Triple Crown before winning the final jewel, the Minister’s Cup at Seoul. On his return to Busan he suffered his only setback, finishing out of the money in the Owner’s Trophy. Lightly raced since then, he’s won all four of his 2009 outings.
2. Conqueror (KOR) [Revere – Model Actress (Stage Colony)] – C 3 – (12/4/3/0) – Park Geum Man
A slow starter, the three year old took five races to break his maiden and missed out on this year’s classics. Recently graduated to class 1, but yet to be tested at this level.
3. Pangpang (KOR) [Revere – Awishnotalark (Rio’s Lark)] – F 3 – (16/4/1/1) – Han Sang Gyu
Fourth in the Derby marked her down as the only credible challenger to Sangseung Ilro in the Oaks. She duly obliged, chasing down and overtaking the hot favourite to pull off a major upset and establish herself as one of the top stars of Korean racing. Was it a one-off? We’ll find out on Sunday.
4. Yeongung Manse (KOR) [Sharp Appeal – Saratogasplash (Wild Again) – C 4 – (16/8/3/2) – Jo Chang Wook
Has never been out of the money in his sixteen starts. He’s quick and has three top class wins to his name.
5. Areumdaun Jilju (KOR) [Didyme – Chills Of Nepal (Nepal)] – (20/14/3/0) – H 5 – Lim Sung Sil
The five year old made his debut over three years ago but has only raced twenty times. SInce turning three, he’s won ten of his tweve races including both of his outings this year.

Korea Vs Rest Of The World in 5th Challenge

The 5th KRA International Jockey Invitational takes place at Seoul Race Park this coming weekend and six overseas jocks will be in town as Korea takes on the Rest Of The World. Ireland’s Pat Shanahan and Australia’s Jim Byrne head up the Rest Of The World team with Park Tae Jong captaining the Koreans.

The Rest Of The World

Jim Byrne (Australia) – Gold Coast based Byrne has been champion jockey at Brisbane four times and is well on his way to 1500 winners.
Richard Fourie (South Africa) – Thought of as one of the most promising young South African jockeys, the 24 year old Fourie last month decided to move from his KwaZulu-Natal base to Singapore where he will join trainer Basil Marcus later this year.
Luis Garcia (USA) – Maryland based and most frequently working the circuit of Laurel, Pimlico, Colonial Downs and Delaware Park, Garcia turned 25 last week and has over 1000 career victories to his name.
Tetsuya Kobayashi (Japan) – The only Japanese rider this year, Kobayashi debuted in 1993 and, while not a prolific winner with the JRA, has secured some prestigious wins throughout his career.
Pat Shanahan (Ireland) – One of Ireland’s most experienced jockeys, Pat Shanahan came to prominence winning the 1984 Irish Oaks on Princess Pati. In 1996 he won the Irish Derby in 1996 on Dermot Weld’s Zagreb. He continues to ride for Weld, guiding Rare ransom to fourth place in this year’s Irish 1000 Guineas.
Gokhan Yildiz (Turkey) – An up and coming riding from Turkey, Yildiz is the youngest member of the ROTW team. In his six year career to date, he has amassed 326 winners.

The Koreans

Korea puts out an experienced team. Although champion jockey Moon Se Young is out for the rest of the season, the home side will still fancy their chances. Last year’s winner Park Tae Jong again captains.

Park Tae Jong – The only person in Korean racing to enjoy name recognition outside the sport, Park has won everything there is to win and has won twice as many races as any other Korean rider in history. Mention horse racing to a Korean and they will tell you two things. First they will tell you gambling is bad. Secondly they will tell you Park Tae Jong always wins.
Bang Choon Sik – Another veteran, Bang rides sparingly these days but in his time has won most of Korea’s biggest races.
Yang Hee Jin – Debuting in 1996, Yang hasn’t quite made it to the top echelon of Korean racing although if he was to go freelance, he may get an opportunity to show what he can do. A safe pair of hands who is held in high regard by punters.
Cho Kyoung Ho – A late starter, not riding in his first race until age 25, Cho Kyoung Ho is currently the man in form. Taking over leadership of the 2009 Championship last weekend, Cho has a remarkable quinella strike rate of 37% this year.
Choi Beom Hyun – Over the past year, Choi has become known as the big race jockey His partnership with Dongbanui Gangja is fast becoming one of the most enduring and successful in Korean racing history.
Ham Wan Sik – Going freelance earlier this year, Ham Wan Sik is recognised as one of Seoul’s most capable riders.

The Contest

Four races make up the contest, two on Saturday and two on Sunday:

Saturday: Race 8 – Class 3 Foreign bred, 1400M, post time 15:40
Saturday: Race 11 – Class 2 Foreign bred, 1900M Handicap, post time 17:10
Sunday: Race 7 – Class 4 Korean bred, 1400M, post time 15:10
Sunday: Race 9 – Class 3 Korean bred, 1400M Handicap, post time 17:10

Each jockey will have a ride in each race so the mininmum field size for each event will be twelve. Points are awarded in the following manner:

1st: 20, 2nd: 10, 3rd: 6, 4th: 4, 5th: 3, 6th: 2, 7th: 1

The jockey with the most points at the end of the two days will take home a bonus of $20,000, second will secure $10,000 and third will receive $5,000. In addition, each member of the winning team will be awarded a $1,000 bonus.

The rides for each race will be drawn later this week and after the draw, we’ll take a closer look at who’s likely to be leaving Korea a little richer.

Baengnyeonbong Heads Ilgan Sports Contenders

Baengnyeonbong, third in the Korean Derby, and the unbeaten Holy Dreamer head a field of twelve Korean breds for the 27th Ilgan Sports Cup at Seoul Race Park tomorrow afternoon.

Holy Dreamer has won all five his starts but will be stepping up significantly in class in a race where three year olds are expected to dominate. Khanui Jeguk was a Derby disappointment but has bounced back since May and must be considered. Cheongha Eutteum has won four out his five races and is a winner at the distance.

One filly and one mare join the colts. While five year old Gamunhuye looks overmated, Love Cat doesn’t. Love Cat skipped the Oaks but has won at the distance and in reasonable company too. She’s had two months off and if she comes back in the form she was in when she began her break, she’ll be in the mix at the finish.

Aside from Gamunhuye there are a couple of other older horses trying their luck in a race that will see the winner likely elevated to class 1 racing. Lightly raced six year old Cheongun Jangsu has won five of his twelve starts but will find things tough as will Exzacta Runner. In with a better chance though are five year old First Flower and the four year old Headline News.

Baegnyeonbong is the one to beat.

The race is off at 17:00 and is race 9 of an 11 race card which gets underway at 11:20. Here are the runners, records and riders:

Ilgan Sports Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – Sep 6, 2009, 17:00

1. Event (11/6/0) – Oh Kyoung Hoan
2. Love Cat (10/6/0) – Choi Beom Hyun
3. Khanui Jeguk (10/4/2) – Cho Kyoung Ho
4. Baengnyeonbong (12/5/1) – Shin Hyoung Cheol
5. Cheongun Jangsu (12/5/1) – Lee Sang Hyuk
6. First Flower (22/4/3) – Yang Hee Jin
7. Gamunhuye (38/5/2) – Jo In Kwon
8. Exzacta Runner (17/3/3) – Park Tae Jong
9. Cheongha Eutteum (5/4/1) – Moon Jung Kyun
10. Holy Dreamer (5/5/0) Ham Wan Sik
11. Magic Victor (22/3/3) – Bang Choon Sik
12. Headline News (19/4/3) – Jung Ki Young

Weekend Preview

Dongbanui Gangja, Secret Weapon, Namdo Jeap, Miss Ecton all go on big weekend
It’s Ilgan Sports Day at Seoul on Sunday and the showdown between three of the track’s top three year olds headlines what is looking all round one of the most attractive weekend cards of the year.

Things get underway at Busan on Friday when a host of big names will contest the last and feature race. Miss Ecton, Golding, Hardride and Admiral Reigart will all be in action in race 10.

Sunday’s Busan feature will see two of the southern track’s top colts square off once more. Namdo Jeap was second in both the KRA Cup Mile and the Korean Derby. Yeonseung Daero was well fancied for both of those races but flopped. Since then though, he has made amends with two smart wins against tough opposition. They’ll do battle in race 5. South African jockey Martin Wepner will be reunited with Namdo Jeap for the first time since walking away from the ride on Derby day.

Saturday at Seoul sees a double-header of top races. 2008 Grand Prix winner and 2009 Owners’ Trophy winner Dongbanui Gangja is on to extend his winning streak to eight and will be hot favourite to make it nine. Regardless of his reputation, a full field will assemble for race 10 to try to stop him. Among them will be Brilliant Knight, Gamadongja, Noubeau Riche and the improving Torpedo Mast. Also there will be Yodongseong, returning from a near six month lay-off.

That race will be followed thirty minutes later by an appearance by Secret Weapon. The five year old has won his last three and will have Lucky Mountain and Namchonuijijon as well as ten others to contend with if he is cement his position as Seoul’s current top-rated domestically bred horse.

Sunday’s feature is of course, the Ilgan Sports Cup. The focus is going to be on the three year olds, especially unbeaten gelding Holy Dreamer. We’ll have a full preview of the Ilgan over the next couple of days.

Busan Race Park

Friday September 4: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday September 6: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:30

Seoul Race Park

Saturday September 5: 12 races, first post 11:20, last 17:40
Sunday September 6: 11 races, first post 11:20, last 18:10

Jeju Race Park (Pony Racing)

Saturday September 5: 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:10
Sunday September 6: 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:10

Weekend Preview

Nice Choice / Gangho / Northern Ace / Bukgeukseong
After five days off it’s back. Racing on the Korean peninsula gets underway again this Friday at Busan and at Seoul and Jeju on Saturday and then all three tracks on Sunday.

Munhwa Ilbo winner Nice Choice is the biggest draw in the weekend’s headline race at Seoul on Sunday. The three year old steps up to class 1 racing for the first time and will be up against SBS Cup winner Hallyu Star.

While the big race is on Sunday, many racegoers will have their eyes on Saturday’s card which sees a number of potential stars on show. Earlier this year, US import Gangho swept all before him, winning his first four races barely breaking into a gallop. He then flopped in the JRA Trophy in May and hasn’t been seen since. He’s back in race 11 on Saturday when he’ll take on thirteen others over 1900 metres.

Saturday may also see some clues to next year’s Classics as two year old filly Brown Girl is looking to go three for three in race 8. An hour earlier, Northern Ace will have made his second start. The colt broke the five furlong track record on his debut and his reputation was enhanced without him even leaving his stable last week as the horse he beat into second that day, Ace Galloper, cruised to an eighteen length win. Northern Ace goes over six furlongs this time.

At Busan, prolific filly Bukgeukseong steps up to class 1 in Friday’s feature. Although classified as domestically bred, the three year old was ineligible for the Oaks due to having being conceived outside of Korea. She has five wins to her name from six starts and will be up against the likes of Annika Queen and Sky Star over a mile. Sunday’s Busan feature has track stalwarts Angle Slam, Dongbang Geona, Bugyoeng Choegang and Crafty Louis facing younger rivals King Kephalos and Jilju Hara.

Busan Race Park

Friday August 28: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday August 30: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:30

Seoul Race Park

Saturday August 29: 12 races, first post 11:20, last 17:40
Sunday August 30: 11 races, first post 11:20, last 18:00

Jeju Race Park (Pony racing)

Saturday August 29: 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:10
Sunday August 30: 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:10

Weekend Preview

For the second time this year, a Presidential funeral has meant the cancellation of a day’s racing. After six days of mourning, Kim Dae Jung – President from of South Korea from 1998 to 2003 and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 – will be laid to rest on Sunday at the National Cemetary in Seoul following a State funeral.

The cancellation leaves each track with just one day’s racing this weekend. Busan runs on Friday while Seoul and Jeju have cards on Saturday. With the short evening racing season complete, all three tracks are running daytime cards. To replace the lost races, Seoul and Busan will each host a make-up card in December on Christmas weekend – the season had previously been scheduled to finish a week earlier.

Procyon and Yongdu Baram head the field for Busan’s feature race. Symphony Sonata is the biggest name on show at Seoul on Saturday.

Busan Race Park

Friday August 21: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30

Seoul Race Park

Saturday August 22: 12 races, first post 11:20, last 17:40

Jeju Race Park (Pony racing)

Saturday August 22: 10 races, first post 12:10, last 17:10

23 August 2009

YTN Headlines Final Evening

The YTN Cup is the big race at Seoul as a glorious four weeks of evening racing on the peninsula come to a close tomorrow.

In its tenth running, the YTN is this year, for the first time restricted to fillies and mares. A class 2 race, like the Munhwa Ilbo a few weeks ago, it brings together a group of up and comers along with more established horses who haven’t quite made it through to the top level just yet.

And an interesting field will assemble at 7:30pm. Air Kat looked to be steadily progressing in her three year old season last year before injury intervened. Absent for nine months, she came back in May and then ran second in a class 2 race last month. If she’s continued to improve since then, she’ll be the one to beat even though the mare who did beat her last time, Cheonsangcheonha will also go tomorrow.

Two three year olds may be her biggest threats. Keungori won the STC Trophy in May while Alpha Lady is the unknown quantity. The recent US import has only run four times and started inauspiciously but has won her last two by embarrassing margins. She hasn’t raced at more than six furlongs before so making the big step up to ten furlongs will be the first test for her.

Soseono, little sister of track legend Subsidy will be there and in with an outside chance while for Korean bred runners, Sangsangbong looks the best hope. Potential outsiders to watch include Kkumchaja and Exclusive Offer See below for a full lost of runners, records and riders:

YTN Cup (Class 2 Foreign Bred) – Seoul Race Park – 1900M – Aug 16, 2009

1. Jangjagang (USA) [Buddha – Illusory (Skywalker)] – (11/2/1/3) – Ham Wan Sik
2. Ginny’s Delight (USA) [Polish Miner – Political Bluff (Unaccounted For)] – (26/1/2/5) – Kim Young Jin
3. Storm For Lucky (JPN) [Mejiro Ryan – Dark Moon (Real Shadai)] – (16/0/2/4) – Yoon Tae Hyuk
4. Keungori (USA) [Essence Of Dubai – Goldmakesmesmile (Mining)] – (10/3/0/1) – Shim Seung Tae
5. Sangsangbong (KOR) [Warzone – Balieria (Gulch)] – (15/3/2/4) – Choi Won Joon
6. Kkumchaja (USA) [Orientate – Westerville (Gone West)] – (10/1/2/4) – Cho Kyoung Ho
7. Princess Thumb (USA) [Stravinsky – Narjis Flower (Pleasant Colony)] – (28/2/2/3) – Lee Dong Kuk
8. Alpha Lady (AUS) [Iglesia – Star Tipper (Luskin Star)] – (4/2/0/0) – Park Eul Woon
9. Crown Carla (KOR) [Beautiful Crown – Fleet Carla (Afleet)] – (15/4/3/2) – Oh Kyoung Hoan
10. Soseono (USA) [Aldebaran – Foreign Aid (Danzig)] – (11/1/4/3) – Choi Beom Hyun
11. Air Kat (USA) [Digging In – Vivian’s Mercedes (Broad Brush)] – (13/3/3/2) – Moon Se Young
12. Cheonsangcheonha (USA) [Formal Dinner – Southbound Odyssey (Big Spruce)] – (34/3/3/3) – Moon Jung Kyun
13. Gild Regal (AUS) [Gilded Time – Regal Prospect (Exploding Prospect)] – (30/2/4/2 – Park Tae Jong
14. Exclusive Offer (USA) [Belong To Me – Soup ‘N Salad (Top Account)] – (21/3/2/0) – Toshiyuki Katoh

There are eleven races at Seoul on Sunday with the first off at 14:30. Busan hosts six races beginning at 16:20. Jeju’s nine race card gets underway at 16:30. From next weekend, all three tracks revert to their usual racing hours.

Weekend Preview

YTN Cup / Myeongmun Gamun / Golding / Yeonseung Daero
The last weekend of twilight racing is upon us before all three tracks in Korea revert back to their normal daytime programs and with sunshine predicted, there’ll be no better place to be on the peninsula than the track.

The YTN Cup crowns the weekend’s program at what is sure to be a packed Seoul Race Park on Sunday evening. We;ll have a full run down on the runners and riders for the big race over the next couple of days.

Given current form, he’s not likely to win but two-time President’s Cup winner Myeongmun Gamun is the biggest name on show on Saturday. He’ll go over 2000 metres against the likes of Hwangnyongsaji and Triple Seven.

Down at Busan, three year old colts Yeonseung Daero and Sky Star go up against their elders on Friday afternoon. They’ll have Mirae Cheonsa and Boryeong Bulbit for company in what looks like a very competitive 10 furlong handicap. On Sunday, Busan institution Golding heads the field for the feature handicap.

Busan Race Park

Friday August 14: 10 races, first post 16:00, last 21:00
Sunday August 16: 6 races, first post 16:15, last 20:50

Seoul Race Park

Saturday August 15: 12 races, first post 14:30, last 21:00
Sunday August 16: 11 races, first post 14:30 last 21:00

Jeju Race Park (Pony racing)

Saturday August 15: 9 races, first post 16:30, last 21:20
Sunday August 16: 9 races, first post 16:30, last 21:25

* Race 7 at Seoul on Sunday has been designated as the first ever “Jockey’s Memorial Race” and will be run in honour of those riders riders who have lost their lives at the track. Coming on the second anniversary of Lim Dae Gyu’s death, the race will also honour Seo Dae Won, Kim Tae Sung, Lee Joon Hee and Yoo Hun Ki who make up the five riders killed during racing or trackwork since 1980, as well as Kim Jong Eon, critically injured in 1992.

Sangseung Ilro Stalks the Grand Slam

She’s kept a low-profile since running away with the Korean Derby in May but on Sunday evening, Sangseung Ilro, holder of the first two legs of the Triple Crown, returns to her own ranks when she lines up for the Korean Oaks at Busan Race Park. If she wins, she’ll go back north to Seoul and the Minister’s Cup in October to race not only for the Triple Crown but also, with the Oaks included, what’s being termed the “Grand Slam”.

Can anyone beat her tomorrow? Probably not. Most see Pangpang, who ran fourth in the Derby and has kicked on since as being her closest rival. Of the others, Leading Velocity has won at class 2 level and Suryeohan has come close – as has Haneul Gisang. Lady In Gala looks to have plenty of potential. All look weak in a form guide alongside Sangseung Ilro.

Eiki Nishimura, who partnered Sangseung Ilro to her unexpected win in the KRA Cup Mile was jocked off for the Derby. With the race being run in Seoul, many believed that the notoriously strong Seoul Jockeys’ Union had been behind pressure on owner and trainer to replace the Japanese rider with a local one for Korea’s biggest race. Jo Sung Gon rode her flawlessly on Derby day and no blame is attached to him for what went on behind the scenes, but Eiki is back on tomorrow. It’s a well earned opportunity for a quiet rider who, afer a tough beginning in Korea, has worked to become one of Busan’s best jockeys.

The trainer is Kim Young Gwan. Currently presiding over Busan’s best string – he also has Namdo Jeap and Miss Ecton in his care – Kim also sends out Haneul Gisang. She will be ridden by Martin Wepner. After an unfortunate series of events led to Wepner walking out of Seoul – and almost Korea – before he was due to ride Namdo Jeap in the Derby, Kim stepped in and offered Wepner the job of stable jockey. While Wepner won’t ride Namdo Jeap again, with Haneul Gisang likely to be battling for the place positions, we could see another Kim Young Gwan, Eiki and Wepner 1,2.

The race is off at 19:15 under the lights at Busan and will be simulcast to Seoul Race Park. Here is the full list of runners, records and riders:

Korean Oaks (G.II) – Busan Race Park – 1800M – Aug 9, 2009 – 19:15

1. Rose Cat [Creek Cat – Rose Bouton (Somethingdifferent)] – (9/2/2/1) – Yoon Tae Hyuk
2. Suryeohan [Commendable – Diamond Star (Dixieland Band)] – (9/2/2/2) – Chae Gyu Jun
3. Lady In Gala [Didyme – Phlox (Just Like Jo)] – (10/2/1/) – Park Geum Man
4. Hanmoe [Tahamkke – Wolmunsabang (Didyme)] – (12/1/2/3) – Lee Sung Jae
5. Haneul Gisang [Duality – Birrali (Rutland)] – (7/2/3/0) – Martin Wepner
6. Solar City [Ft. Stockton – Taeyangsan (Mujaazif)] – (9/0/1/4) – Jo Sung Gon
7. Hero Age [Buster’s Daydream – No Dle Seum (Brave Regent)] – (10/0/2/0) – Jung Si Won
8. Pangpang [Revere – Awishnotalark (Rio’s Lark)] – (15/3/1/1) – Han Sang Gyu
9. Sangseung Ilro [Concept Win – Ms. Whiskey (Whiskey Wisdom)] – (7/5/1/1) – Eiki Nishimura
10. Leading Velocity [Fiercely – Barefoot Runaway (Strike Gold)] – (11/3/2/1) – Jo Chan Hoon
11. Naechingu [Creek Cat – Roberto’s Flame (Green Dancer)] – (7/1/1/4) – Jo Chang Wook
12. Hwangjeui Seonmul [Social Charter – She’s A Bridesmaid (Chromite)] – (13/2/2/0) – Kim Eu Su

On the undercard of the Oaks is the International Lady Jockey Invitation Race. Most see it as being a straight fight between the two Kim Young Gwan horses Namdo Jeap (Park Jin Hee) and Miss Ecton (Laura Cheshire). Nine others will have something to say about that. The Invitation race is off at 18:10 and will also be simulcasted to Seoul.

Oaks Weekend Preview

Korean Oaks / Invitation Race / Namdo Jeap
After a week off, racing is back on the peninsula and it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest weekends of the year. The Korean Oaks at Busan on Sunday is the headline as Sangseung Ilro seeks to completethe Derby/Oaks double. She’ll have eleven other fillies to contend with and we’ll have a final preview of the race over the next couple of days.

Also on Sunday at Busan, the International Lady Jockey Invitation race will take place. See here for full preview.

While overshadowed for once by Busan, Seoul also has its fair share of the action. On Saturday, Baekjeonmupae, Angus Empire, Seoul Teukgeup and Gamadongja will renew hostilities, while prolific five year old mare Top Point is the biggest name on show on Sunday.

Busan Race Park

Friday August 7: 10 races, first post 16:00; last: 21:00
Sunday August 9: 6 races, first post 16:20; last: 21:00

Seoul Race Park

Saturday August 8: 12 races, first post 14:30; last 21:00
Sunday August 9: 11 races, first post 14:30; last 21:00

Jeju Race Park (Pony racing)

Saturday August 8: 9 races, first post 16:30; last 21:20
Sunday August 9: 9 races, first post 16:30; last 21:20

It’s been a fine week weatherwise but rain is on the horizon.