Racing Previews

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.

Eleven Contest International Lady Jockey Race

Eight overseas visitors will join three local riders for the 2009 International Lady Jockey Invitiation Race which will be run on the undercard of the Korean Oaks this coming Sunday at Busan Race Park.

With Lee Ae Li, Park Jin Hee and Yoo Mi Ra representing Korea, riders from Japan, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa will also be in town to contest the reasonably tasty looking class 1 race. Additionally, most of the jockeys will also take one ride in a race on Busan’s Friday evening card.

The International riders are:

Jennifer Stisted (USA) – Maryland based and often riding for trainer husband Scott Lake, Stisted has landed over 250 winners in her career.
Rides: Friday R8: Shingwang Cheonji; Sunday R3: Florida Native

Catherine Gannon (Ireland) – Rides mainly in the UK and is having her best season ever with 26 winners so far in 2009.
Rides: Sunday R3: Gangcheol Nabi

Laura Cheshire (New Zealand) – Currently based on Australia’s Gold Coast, she’s ridden 22 winners over the past year.
Rides: Friday R3: Fresh Dancer; Sunday R3: Miss Ecton

Nadine Rapson (South Africa) – The Eastern Cape rider has over 150 wins to date.
Rides: Friday R5: Queen Of Moonstone; Sunday R3: Yongwonhanhaengbok

Linda Meech (Australia) – Anther having her best ever season, Meech has already reached a century of winners in 2009 riding mainly in Victoria.
Rides: Friday R9: Gold Love; Sunday R3: Max Is Cruisin

Mai Beppu (Japan) – Kochi based Beppu shared the NAR Grand Prix Best Female jockey award of 2008
Rides: Friday R2: Seondu Jeongsang, Sunday R3: Dongbang Geona

Hitomi Miyashita (Japan) – Riding out of Aichi, Miyashita shared the NAR award with Beppu.
Rides: Friday R7: Tamna Kwaegeol; Sunday R3: Ima Firecracker

Chiaki Iwanaga (Japan) – Winner of over one 100 races in Japan.
Rides: Friday R9: Raon Champion; Sunday R3: Oreumak

And the Koreans…

Lee Ae Li – Based at Seoul. Riding in pink silks and boots has earned her the nickname “Ae Li Gongju” (Princess Ae Li). Former winner of Seoul Race Park’s “MVP” award, while not a prolific winner, Ae Li is one of the track’s reliable performers.

Yoo Mi Ra – Only debuted in 2008 and only recently scored her first win. Mi Ra has been steadily improving.

Park Jin Hee – On current form the most successful female thoroughbred jockey in Korea.

Sunday’s Invitation race is race 3 on the card and is off at 18:10. The plumb ride of Namdo Jeap, currently rated Korea’s top three year old colt, went the way of Park Jin Hee. Stablemate and top danger Miss Ecton will be ridden by Laura Cheshire. Here’s a run down of the runners and riders, with pedigree, race records, sex and age:

Class 1 (Foreign bred) Invitation Race – Busan Race Park – 1600M – Aug 9, 2009

1. Namdo Jeap (KOR) [Ft. Stockton – Wandering Katie (Tejano)] C3 (9/4/3/1) – Park Jin Hee
Runner up in the KRA Cup Mile and the Derby he took on and beat foreign bred horses last month and there’s no reason why he can’t do so again.

2. Florida Native (USA) [Kissin Kris – Bindiana (Jose Binn)] H5 (29/7/5/3) – Jennifer Stisted
Struggled of late but may appreciate dropping back to a mile.

3. Miss Ecton (USA) [Ecton Park – Miss Lion King (Lion Cavern)] F4 (16/5/2/6) – Laura Cheshire
A consistent performer. A mile is her best distance and last year’s Busan Ilbo winner should be in contention. She’ll carry top weight.

4. Yeongwonhanhangbok (USA) [El Corredor – Media Power (Red Ransom)] F4 (19/3/3/3) – Nadine Rapson
Some good performances over the winter put her into the top tier of Korean racing. Struggled last time out at the same distance.

5. Dongbang Geona (JPN) [Paradise Creek – Hanashinju (Leo Castelli)] G5 (29/9/4/3) – Mai Beppu
A prolific winner as a two year old, and has consistently been in the money since. Won three consecutive class 1 races last autumn.

6. Oreumak (AUS) [Favorite Trick – Vigne Vierge (Diesis)] H7 (55/6/5/10) – Chiaki Iwanaga
The oldest horse in the race, Oreumak hasn’t monied for five races, but every now and then springs a surprise.

7. Gangcheol Labi (AUS) [Fusaichi Pegasus – Beffy (Danehill)] F4 (14/5/1/0) – Catherine Gannon
Made a promising step up to class 1 last month finishing fourth behind Namdo Jeap. Still improving.

8. Winter Invitation (USA) [Take Me Out – Winter Crown (Cox’s Ridge)] H6 (39/3/7/8) – Lee Ae Li
A consistant placer who scored a very good third in the Busan Mayor’s Trophy last October. Wins are few and far between and there’s no reason for that to change on Sunday

9. D M Merch (USA) [Langfuhr – Personally Yours (Personal Flag)] G7 (49/5/7/9) – Yoo Mi Ra
Win in June for the first time in two years, the seven year old has had a good 2009 placing in all but one of his five other outings.

10. Max Is Cruisin (USA) [Max’s Pal – Starlite Cruisin (Star De Naskra)] C4 (23/4/2/1) – Linda Meech
A sprint victory took him up to class 1 in June. Well beaten by Miss Ecton and Dongbang Geona last time out

11. Ima Firecracker (USA) [Hold That Tiger – It’s Destiny (Red Ransom)] F4 (20/4/4/2) – Hitomi Miyashita
Third place last time behind Namdo Jeap was an improvement. Will need to improve again to trouble the placings.

Sangseung Ilro Heads Oaks Entries

There are twelve remaining entrants with a week to go before the Korean Oaks at Busan Race Park. The remarkable Sangseung Ilro, winner of the KRA Cup Mile and Korean Derby already this season, heads the field and it will be a brave punter who bets against her come next Sunday.

Rose Cat is the only entrant from Seoul – the capital track seemingly accepting that it is going to be a sixth straight Classic win for a Busan horse.

Oaks day is set to be one of the biggest days of racing held at Busan since the track’s opening in 2005. Also on the card is the International Lady Jockey’s Invitation Race and we’ll have a full preview of both that and the Oaks this coming Wednesday. In the meantime here is the current Oaks line up with pedigree and race records:

Korean Oaks (G.II) – Busan Race Park – 1800M – August 9, 2009

Lady In Gala [Didyme – Phlox (Just Like Jo)] – (10/2/1/)
Naechingu [Creek Cat – Roberto’s Flame (Green Dancer)] – (7/1/1/4)
Rose Cat [Creek Cat – Rose Bouton (Somethingdifferent)] – (9/2/2/1)
Leading Velocity [Fiercely – Barefoot Runaway (Strike Gold)] – (11/3/2/1)
Suryeohan [Commendable – Diamond Star (Dixieland Band)] – (9/2/2/2)
Hanmoe [Tahamkke – Wolmunsabang (Didyme)] – (12/1/2/3)
Solar City [Ft. Stockton – Taeyangsan (Mujaazif)] – (9/0/1/4)
Haneul Gisang [Duality – Birrali (Rutland)] – (7/2/3/0)
Sangseung Ilro [Concept Win – Ms. Whiskey (Whiskey Wisdom)] – (7/5/1/1)
Hero Age [Buster’s Daydream – No Dle Seum (Brave Regent)] – (10/0/2/0)
Pangpang [Revere – Awishnotalark (Rio’s Lark)] – (15/3/1/1)
Hwangjeui Seonmul [Social Charter – She’s A Bridesmaid (Chromite)] – (13/2/2/0)

Whatever happens next Sunday, Sangseung Ilro will remain on course to follow J.S. Hold in completing the Triple Crown when, all being well, she returns to Seoul in October for the Minister’s Cup. Here is her win in the KRA Cup Mile:

And the Korean Derby:

Second in both those race, Namdo Jeap, will be the plumb ride in the International Lady Jockey’s Challenge race on the Oaks undercard.

Weekend Preview

It’s week two of night racing in Korea and Busan kicks things off on Friday with a twilight card beginning at 4:30pm. Seoul and Jeju run on Saturday with all thre having cards on Sunday.

The Munhwa Ilbo Cup at Seoul on Sunday is the highlight of the weekend (see full preview) but there is other action worth watching too. Last year’s champion three year old filly Mexicali Blues goes in a competitve handicap at Seoul on Sunday while
Secret Weapon, one of Seoul’s best Korean bred horses goes on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, Supernatural, an import from New Zealand makes his first start of 2009. The five year old made a prmising start to his career last year with three wins before injury hit at the end of the year.

Busan Race Park

Friday July 24: 10 races, first post 16:00, last 21:00
Sunday July 26: 6 races, first post 16:20, last 20:50

Seoul Race Park

Saturday July 25: 12 races, first post 14:30, last 21:00
Sunday July 26: 11 races, first post 14:30, last 21:00

Jeju Race Park (Pony racing)

Saturday July 25: 10 races, first post 16:30, last 21:30
Sunday July 26: 10 races, first post 16:30, last 21:30

The monsoon has been quiet throughout the week and sunshine and showers are predicted for the weekend.