The peninsula has been shivering several degrees below zero for the past few days and there’s no let up in sight as the weekend’s racing gets underway:
Busan Race Park
Friday December 18: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday December 20: 6 races, first post 12:30, last 16:15
Seoul Race Park
Saturday December 19: 12 races, first post 11:10, last 17:30
Sunday December 20: 11 races, first post 11:10, last 17:55
Seoul Vs Busan Part 6
It’s the race that brings the curtain down on the racing season at Seoul – in theory anyway, in practice they’re racing again next weekend – and Dongbanui Gangja is set to become only the third horse to retain the prestigious Grand Prix at Seoul Race Park on Sunday afternoon.
The four-year old is unbeaten this year having won the Owners’ Cup as well as a selection of cherry-picked handicaps and goes in the odds-on favourite. He’ll have nine horses out to stop him, four from Seoul and five from Busan as the season long rivalry between the two tracks also reaches its conclusion.
Busan dominated the Classics, but Seoul won the only race open to older foreign bred horses, the Metropolitan at Busan last month. That winner, Bulpae Gisang, will likely be the biggest threat to his stablemate Dongbanui Gangja.
Bally Brae is back for his fourth Grand Prix having been second in 2006 and 2008 and a winner in 2007. The ever-popular gelding has struggled in his last two races but is re-united with champion jockey Moon Se Young for another assault on his favourite race.
The pick of Busan’s five entrants is Gaeseon Janggun, winner of the Minister’s Cup at Seoul last year and the only Korean bred horse in the race likely to be able to challenge the big guns from overseas.
The race will be off at 4:45pm. Click here for past performance information (in Korean). Here is a full run down of runners, pedigrees, records, track and riders:
Grand Prix (KOR. G.I) – Seoul Race Park – 2300M – Dec 13, 2009, 16:45
1. Yaho TS (USA) [Roar Of The Tiger – Propeller (Lear Fan)] C – 3 (15/4/1/1) – Seoul – Yoo Sang Wan
A first attempt at class 1, let alone a Grand Prix. Has potential, but shouldn’t trouble the placings.
2. Haengbok Dream (JPN) [Lammtarra – Sister Slew (Slew The Dragon)] C – 3 (11/4/4/2) – Busan – Hitomi Miyashita
Consistent and with an in-form jockey but would have to run better than ever before to place.
3. Bulpae Gisang (USA) [Lightnin N Thunder – Neat Trick (Clever Trick)] C – 3 (12/7/2/0) – Seoul – Park Tae Jong
Could be the one to challenge Dongbanui Gangja. Beat Busan’s finest last month and may have a surprise in store for his stablemate.
4. Bally Brae (USA) [Yarrow Brae – Political Bluff (Unaccounted For)] G – 7 (31/15/10/1) – Seoul – Moon Se Young
The grand old statesman of the Grand Prix, a Bally Brae victory would bring the house down. Hasn’t been right in his last two outings. If he’s better, he’ll challenge for a place.
5. King Kephalos (JPN) [King Glorious – Western Edge (Woodman)] G – 4 (19/8/3/3) – Busan – Yoo Hyun Myoung
A consistent winner and may enjoy the Seoul track. A chance of a place.
6. Ugildongja (KOR) [Dixie Dot Com – May Roses (Incinderator)] H – 5 (32/10/5/1) – Seoul – Ham Wan Sik
Third behind Baekgwang in October, Seoul’s only Korean representative looks outclassed here.
7. Rolling On Strong (USA) [Werblin – Gracie Gale (Opening Verse)] F – 3 (12/4/1/3) – Busan – Cho Kyoung Ho
The only filly in the race, this will be her first outing in top class company.
8. Gaeseon Janggun (KOR) [Duality – Diamond Star (Dixieland Band)] C – 4 (18/9/4/1) – Busan – Jo Chan Hoon
Last year’s Champion three-year old was second to Bulpae Gisang in the Metropolitan. He’s Korea’s best chance.
9. Crafty Louis (USA) [Louis Quatorze – Crafty Atlantic (Crafty Prospector)] G – 6 (34/13/4/2) – Busan – Jo Chang Wook
Has won three out of his last four and is one of Busan’s top handicappers.
10. Dongbanui Gangja (USA) [Broken Vow – Maremaid (Storm Bird)] C – 4 (21/14/4/2) – Seoul – Choi Beom Hyun
The odds-on favourite, Dongbanui Gangja is unbeaten since his Grand Prix win last year.
Apropos of nothing, here’s a run-down of Saturday’s card at Seoul Race Park:
Race 1: Super Missile (Number 4) should be favourite but for an outsider, look for Devils’s Win (No.7) to give Hitomi Myashita a win on her first ever ride at Seoul.
Race 2: Persona (No.6)
Race 3: Gaya Bobae (No.8)
Race 4: Blondie Queeca (No.3)
Race 5: Chandra (No.4) will likely be long odds-on favourite.
Race 6: Difficult to call but Jingyeok Bulpae (No.11) ran second last time and has Cho Kyoung Ho taking over in the saddle today.
Race 7: Ace Galloper (No.7) is likely to be another short-priced favourite.
Race 8: Ilgan Sports winner Khanui Jeguk (No.5) should return to winning ways.
Race 9: Triple Seven (No.7) was third in the President’s Cup but Hwangnyongsaji (No.4) is reunited with Moon Se Young and can get back in form.
Race 10: Seonbongbulpae (No.2) can only lose if he falls. In the absence of Northern Ace the quinella market is a little more open than it would otherwise have been but Full Step will be favoured to be leading the chasing group of four home – many lengths behind the winner.
Race 11: Jumong (No.6) will be fancied but he steps up to a class where Black Cat Dancin’ (No.2) has form
Race 12: Under the lights, Never Lose (No.1) shouldn’t.
The first race at Seoul is at 11:10 and the last is at 17:55. The feature race, the re-arranged Herald Media Cup is race 10 and is off at 16:45. It is forecasted to be a bright weekend with temperatures mercifully, the right side of zero.
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
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!
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.
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.
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:
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!
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
Horse Racing in Korea 