Racing Previews

Weekend Preview – Subsidy Goes for the Billion

Subsidy will take his second crack at breaking the Billion Won career prize money mark when he goes in Saturday’s feature at Seoul Race Park. The nine year old Subsidy [Mr. Prospector – Foreign Aid (Danzig)] needs only to finish in the first five to reach the landmark figure. In his thirty two race career, the gelding has only been out of the money twice, with eighteen wins to his name. Champion jockey Moon Se Young gets the ride in the 2000 metre handicap, which comes under orders at 17:15. Out to stop him is a field of nine including Noubeau Riche (12runs/6 wins) and Haengun Daewang (27/9).

Sunday’s big race at Seoul features Good Day (19/13) heading the weights and giving at least three kilos to the rest of a twelve strong field featuring Nujindo and old stager Flying Cat. Busan puts on cards on Friday and Sunday. Friday’s feature will see Yongdu Baram face off against Boryeong Bulbit while Sunday’s card has four of its six races open to overseas bred horses.

Busan Race Park

Friday January 16: 10 races, first post time 13:00
Sunday January 18: 6 races, first post time 12:30

Seoul Race Park

Saturday January 17: 12 races, first post time 11:10
Sunday January 18: 11 races, first post time 11:10

Jeju Race Park will hold pony racing on Saturday and Sunday with nine races and a first post time of 12:30 on both days. While temperatures in Seoul have been below freezing for exactly a week now, the weekend should see things getting better with temperatures between 5-9C. Busan will be even warmer but both tracks could see rain on Sunday.

Weekend Preview – Come Racing!

New Year Commemorative Race / Iku debuts at Busan
The 2009 Korean Horse Racing season will get underway Friday with a ten race card at Busan Race Park. Seoul and Jeju are up on Saturday and then all three tracks will host a card on Sunday:

Busan Race Park

Friday January 9: Ten races, first post time 13:00.

Sunday January 11: Six races with the first at 12:30. Feature race sees Metropolitan winner Hardride up against Crafty Louis and Bugyeong Choegang over 2000 metres.

Seoul Race Park

Saturday January 10: Twelve races, first post at 11:10. Seoul kicks off its 2009 with the annual “New Year Commemorative” race. The class 2 handicap attracts a full field of 14 headed by Tu Won. On a remarkable run of six straight victories, the youngest horse in the race will face a stiff challenge from Triple Seven, third in the President’s Cup last time out and arguably the best of Seoul’s three year olds last year. Also going are Best Fusion, winner of the HRI Trophy and unbeaten in his last three as well as the always dangerous Free Woody and Indiana Dream. Right after the New Year race, Vicar Love will return looking to make amends for his disappointing showing in the Grand Prix last month. Dropping back to 2000 metres, he’s among a field of nine including Baekjeonmupae, Saerounbisul and Seoul Teukgeup.

Sunday January 11: Eleven races with the first under orders at 11:10. Last year’s New Year’s race winner Hwangnyonsaji makes an appearance in the day’s main race. He’ll have his work cut out against a host of old-stagers including Dashing Champ, Machine Gunand Best Condition. In an earlier race, New Zealand import Coleraine, who won his first three outings but disappointed stepping up in class and distance last time, will get another chance over 1900 metres.

Jeju Race Park hosts pony racing on both Saturday and Sunday. On both days the first of nine comes under orders at 12:30. Jeju hosts its own New Year race on Saturday where the remarkable Baengnokgunji will carry 67kg for a 900 metre dash.

It’s going to be a cold weekend with temperatures in Seoul unlikely to get above freezing all weekend. If it gets warm enough, there’s a chance of snow on Sunday. Busan will be chilly but nowhere near as cold and accordingly the risk for Sunday is that of rain.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Weekend Preview

Boxing Day hangovers will need to be quickly overcome as the weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday. Busan also returns on Sunday with six races while Seoul runs on Saturday and Sunday. Playing Politics will make an appearance in race 10 at Seoul on Saturday.

Busan Race Park
Friday December 26: 10 races, first post time 13:00
Sunday December 28: 6 races, first post time 12:20

Seoul Race Park
Saturday December 27: 12 races. first post time 11:00
Sunday December 28: 12 races, first post time 11:00

It’s been a dry and bright but bitterly cold Christmas Day in Seoul but things should warm up to the right side of freezing by the weekend with a risk of snow showers on Saturday and rain on Sunday. Busan should see similar temperatures and a similar chance of rain on Sunday.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR READERS!

Ten Go in Grand Prix

The Group 1 Grand Prix race which traditionally acts as a season finale will be run at Seoul Race Park on Sunday. Although the race is by no means the most valuable on the calender it is arguably the most prestigious as it pits domestic and overseas bred horses against each other, which is rare in Korea. The overseas bred horses are generally faster, but the Koreans will carry less weight. However, with only Seoul based horses competing, it means that none of this year’s Classic winners, who are all based at Busan, will be taking part. Nevertheless, a strong and an intriguing line up will assemble for race 10 at 16:35 on Sunday:

Grand Prix (G1) – Seoul Race Park – 2300M – Dec 21, 2008
(Name/Sex/Age/Record/Weight/Jockey):
1. Myeongmun Gamun (KOR) – G 7 (28/16/3) -54kg- Cho Kyoung Ho
This year’s top Seoul based horse in terms of prize money won, the seven year old finished second in last year’s race and, having behaved himself at the gate of late, won the President’s Cup last time out. Only beaten once in 2008, by Baekpa in the SBS Cup
2. Baekpa (KOR) – F 4 (20/8/4) -51kg- Moon Jung Kyun
Myeongmun Gamun’s conqueror in the SBS Cup, last year’s Oaks winner left it too late in the President’s Cup. The filly will have plenty of supporters but will need to produce the race of her life to challenge here
3. Fly Queen (USA) – M 5 (28/7/5) -55kg- Kim Hyo Seob
Fourth last year, the mare had an indifferent start to 2008 in handicaps before landing the G3 KRA Cup Classic in September ahead of top Point and Galsaem. A stayer, she went on to win over 2300 metres a month later.
4. Bally Brae (USA) – G 6 (24/13/7) -58kg- Moon Se Young
Last year’s winner began 2008 tidily winning some big handicaps before suffering an unexpected reverse and then a dismal showing in the Owner’s Association Trophy in June finishing out of the money for only the second time in his career – the other being in the corresponding race in 2007. Having a torrid time at the hands of the handicapper Bally Brae has since finished second in both his recent outings.
5. Top Point (KOR) – F 4 (16/1/1) -51kg- Shim Seung Tae
A prolific winner, her defeat by Fly Queen in the KRA Cup Classic broke a winning streak of six, however, she was quickly back to form the following month.
6. Secret Weapon (KOR) – H 5 (28/16/6) -54kg- Park Tae Jong
Dominant in 2008, Secret Weapon is on a run of five straight wins and carrying much less weight than he does in handicaps, a big run will be expected.
7. Galsaem (KOR) – M 6 (35/17/9) -51kg- Ikuyasu Kurakane
The mare has carried big weights in 2008 but finally got her first win of the year in November.
8. Dongbanui Gangja (USA) – C 3 (14/7/4) -55kg- Choi Beom Hyun
The second best three year old imported colt this year, he finished third in the Owner’s Association Trophy and hasn’t been out of the money in fourteen starts.
9. Seongpacheonha (AUS) – G 4 (18/4/2/4) -58kg- Lee Sang Hyuk
The least well known of all entrants, Seongpacheonha is yet to win at category 1 level. Apprentice jockey Lee Sang Hyuk gets his first big race ride.
10. Vicar Love (USA) – C 3 (10/7/1) -55kg- Yang Hee Jin
Impressive winner of the YTN Cup and in formidable form, the three year old colt could be the one to beat. Only one outing at 2000 metres but this finished in a comfortable win.

Weekend Preview

It’s Friday so the weekend’s action is about to get underway. Sunday is a big day at Seoul with the season ending Grand Prix race bringing together some of the track’s top performers in 2008. We’ll have a full preview of the big race later today. For now, here are the start times for the next three days:

Busan Race Park
Friday 19 December: 10 races, first post time 13:00
Sunday 21 December: 6 races, first post time 12:20

Seoul Race Park
Saturday 20 December: 12 races, first post time 11:00
Sunday 21 December: 12 race, first post time 11:00 – the Grand Prix is race 10 and will go to post at 16:35.

Jeju Race Park hosts pony racing on Saturday and Sunday with first post time 12:20. It’s going to be a cold weekend at Seoul with a chance of snow showers on Sunday. It will be much warmer down at Busan with rain likely on Sunday.

Weekend Preview

Gyeongnam Citizen Ilbo Cup at Busan / Shaving Points is back at Seoul

Busan Race Park
Friday December 12: Busan’s Friday card gets the weekend action underway as usual. The first of ten is off at 13:00.
Sunday December 14: Feature race of the weekend is the Gyeongnam-Do Min Ilbo Cup, a 1400 metre handicap for overseas bred horses. Florida Native is top weight and, following his unexpected win in the Busan Metropolitan last month, Hard Ride shares the second highest impost with Dongbang Geona. In a competitive field of thirteen, they are joined by the Japanese filly Jilju Hara as well as Ima Firecracker, Angle Slam and King Kephalos. The big race is off at 15:05 and is race 5 on the card of six which starts at 12:20.

Seoul Race Park
Saturday December 13: Seoul’s weekend program starts at 11:00 on Saturday. The feature race of twelve sees Seoul Teukgeup head a field of ten in a cat 1 handicap over 2000 metres.

Sunday December 14: While the most valuable race of the weekend at Seoul sees Dashing Champ and Flying Cat go against each other in the very last race on the card, more attention will be paid to an intriguing race 9. For a time earlier this year it wouldn’t have come as a surprise if right now, three year old American import Shaving Points was preparing to take part in his first Grand Prix race. An injury in May and then an abortive comeback race in September put paid to that. However, the colt will be back, over 1800 metres in a field of eleven that also includes Supernatural who went three for three after his debut but has disappointed since. Sunday’s card has eleven races with the first off at 11:00.

Down on Jeju Island, Jeju Race Park will hold its usual two day Pony racing meet. There are ten races both days with a start time of 12:20. After last week’s arctic conditions, it should be slightly milder at Seoul this week with temperatures predicted to hover around the 3-4C mark. Down South at Busan it should average a comfortbale 7-10C above.

Weekend Preview

Temperatures have plummeted overnight across the peninsula and it is set to be the first really cold weekend of racing of the year:

Busan Race Park: Busan gets underway on Friday at 13:00 with ten races and then hosts six more on Sunday including the feature Owners’ Cup. Sunday’s first race is under orders at 12:10.

Seoul Race Park: Seoul hosts cards on Saturday and Sunday. The first race on both days is at 11:00. Seoul’s feature race of the weekend is the Herald race for two year olds on Sunday although a field of only seven will brave the cold.

Jeju Race Park hosts its regular Saturday and Sunday pony racing with the first of ten races at 12:20 both days.

Big Names Come Out for Owners’ Cup

This year’s top three year olds will join the older horses in the Busan Owners’ Cup at Busan Race Park on Sunday. Three Classic winners are amongst them, with recent Minister’s Cup winner Gaeseon Janggun assigned top weight. Second that day, Jeolho Chance also goes, the Oaks winner the top filly in the field, as does Derby winner Ebony Storm. They are joined by the gelding Yeongung Manse, the veteran mare, Luna and others such as Boryeong Bulbit and Mirae Cheonsa

The 2000M handicap is off at 15:15 on Sunday and is the biggest of a card of six. Full list of runners, records, weights and riders:

Busan Owners’ Cup – Busan Race Park – 2000M (Hdcp) – Dec 7, 2008, 15:05

1. Yeongung Manse (10/6/1/2) – 57kg – Jo Chang Wook
2. Jeolho Chance (13/6/2/1) – 55.5kg – Yoo Hyun Myoung
3. Gaeseon Janggun (10/4/3/1) – 58kg – Jo Chan Hoon
4. Pungun Jilju (29/4/1/4) – 51kg – Choi In Deok
5. Luna (26/11/5/1) – 57kg – Park Sung Kwang
6. Janggun Sinhwa (21/6/6/1) – 53.5kg – Ahn Sun Ho
7. Ebony Storm (15/5/2/3) – 55kg – Kim Tae Kyung
8. Haneul Cheonsa (14/5/1/0) – 52.5kg – Kim Dong Young
9. Sinheung Gangja (17/4/2/6) – 54kg – Han Sang Gyu
10. Mirae Cheonsa (22/10/3/1) – 54.5kg – Gu Young Jun
11. Boryeong Bulbit (21/8/2/2) – 54.5kg – Jo Sung Gon
12. Gangjaui Beopchik (7/4/2/0) – 53kg – Chae Gyu Jun
13. Scramble (19/5/3/2) – 54.5kg – Lim Suns Sil

Weekend Preview

Busan Race Park

Friday November 28: Ten races on Friday at Busan with the first off at 13:00 and the last at 17:30.

Sunday November 30: Only six races at Busan on Sunday, however, there are two big ones. The first race is off at 12:20 with the Busan Breeders’ Cup race for two year olds off at 15:15. Just eight will line up – six colts and two geldings – for the race which could give some idea as to which horses will be contesting the Triple Crown in 2009. Meanwhile, the feature handicap sees Areumdaun Jilju and Sinjin Gangja going up against one another with both carrying 62 kilos.

Seoul Race Park

Saturday November 29: Seoul comes under orders at 11:00am with an eleven race card. Gamadongja, Noubeau Riche and Seungyu Sinhwa all go in the feature at 16:50.

Sunday November 30: Another eleven race card with an 11:00am start. It’s the turn of domestic bred horses to provide the feature and Good Day should be favourite to see off eleven rivals including Namchonuijijon at 17:15.

Jeju hosts its regular Saturday and Sunday cards with the first of ten races at 12:20 both days. Currently, the weather forecast is for a dry and cool Friday and Saturday with showers on Sunday.

Uchida Lands Five at Busan

Busan Review/Seoul Preview
Toshio Uchida returned to form today after a lean couple of weeks, notching up five winners at Busan Race Park this afternoon. After taking races 4 and 5, Uchida then swept races 8, 9 and 10. However, the day’s feature was taken by another Japanese jockey, Eiki Nishimura, scoring his biggest win since coming to Korea in October. Nishimura guided Hangang Jeil to a comfortable five length win over Jullyakjuk Seongbu in an 1800 metre handicap.

Racing returns to Busan on Sunday with a six race card beginning at 12:10. Seoul Race Park gets underway at 11:00 on Saturday with the first of eleven races. Last Dance Buddy goes against Brilliant Knight in the feature race at 16:20. On Sunday, it is the Nonghyup Bank Cup, one of the bigger races of the season for fillies and mares. A full field of fourteen will go in what is race 9 of 11 with the first, as usual, off at 11:00.

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN