Racing Previews

Weekend Preview

Another week draws to a close and that means it’s time for racing on the peninsula to get underway once more. Busan gets things started on Friday, Seoul and Jeju run on Saturday and all three tracks host cards on Sunday.

Dongbanui Gangja, winner of the 2008 Grand Prix and possibly the top horse in training at Seoul at the moment, will make an apeearance on Saturday. He will be giving his rivals a minimum of eight kilos but will still be the likely favourite in race 11 in a race where he will have the likes of Brilliant Knight and Mexicali Blues for company.

Meanwhile on Sunday, a possible contender for this year’s Grand Prix, US import Gangho, will bid to go four for four as he steps up to class 2 in race 9. Also on Sunday, two of the top locally bred horses in the shape of five year old Good Day and six year old Secret Weapon will go head to head over 1900 metres in race 10.

Busan’s main action will be on Sunday. Golding heads the field in the feature race but many eyes will be on race 5 where promising filly Haste will be going up against an interesting field including KRA Cup Mile also ran Sandeomi.

Busan Race Park

Friday April 17: 10 races, first post 13:00
Sunday April 19: 6 races, first post 12:40

Seoul Race Park

Saturday April 18: 12 races, first post 11:20
Sunday April 19: 11 races, first post 11:20

Jeju Race Park will get its pony racing cards underway at 12:10 on both Saturday and Sunday. Weather has been unpredicatable for much of the week but is forecast to be dry throughout the weekend. Come Racing!

Weekend Preview

The cherry blossoms are out, temperatures are in the low twenties and three days of unbroken sunshine are forecast – with Spring very much underway, there’s no better place to be this weekend than the racecourse. It’s Ttukseom Cup weekend at Seoul Race Park with the big race off at 5pm on Sunday (see full preview) and there’s plenty of other action too.

As usual, Busan kicks things off on Friday with the action moving to Seoul and Jeju on Saturday before all three tracks host cards on Sunday.

Busan Race Park

Friday April 10: 10 races, first post 13:00
Sunday April 12: 6 races, first post 12:40

Seoul Race Park

Saturday April 11: 12 races, first post 11:20
Sunday April 12: 11 races, first post 11:20

Jeju Race Park has nine races on Saturday and ten on Sunday with first post time 12:10 on both days. The current weather forecast is looking fantastic across the whole peninsula all weekend. Come Racing!

* Indian jockey Rahul Shinde will make his Korean debut at Busan on Sunday. We’ll have a full profile of the latest addition to the overseas jockey ranks next week.

Namchonuijijon set for Ttukseom Cup Defence

Seoul Race Park’s biggest race of the year so far comes under orders on Sunday afternoon as the Park Dae Heung trained pair of Namchonuijijon and Myeongmun Gamun head the field for the Group Three Ttukseom Cup.

Horse of the Year in 2008, the eight year old Myeongmun Gamun will be dropping down to seven furlongs for the first time since the corresponding race in 2006 when he finished fifth – his worst ever finish in a career spanning thirty one races so far in which he has never been out of the money. Nevertheless, Myeongmun Gamun’s only outing this year ended in a surprise defeat and he hasn’t raced since January.

Winner of this race in 2008, Namchonuijijon didn’t kick on after last year’s race but opened his 2009 account with a smart win last month. In that race he finished ahead of two of his rivals here, Free Woody and Mighty Runner, the latter suffering his first defeat in five races.

Also going are the “three sevens”; Triple Seven, Lucky Seven and the impressive but untried at this level so far Seven Card, as well as mares Seonju Jangsu and Geumsuni. The race is off at 17:00. See below for a full list of runners, records and riders (Races/1st/2nd/3rd):

Ttukseom Cup (G.III) – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – Apr 12, 2009

1. Highway Star – (71/5/5/9) – Jung Pyeong Soo
2. Myeongmun Gamun – (31/17/3/6) – Cho Kyoung Ho
3. Seonju Jangsu – (40/6/11/3) – Yang Hee Jin
4. Seven Card – (9/5/3/0) – Yoo Seung Wan
5. Mighty Runner – (19/6/3/4) – Kim Hyo Seob
6. Saebyeok Dongja – (34/10/5/2) – Shin Hyoung Cheol
7. Lucky Seven – (21/5/5/1) – Lee Sang Hyuk
8. Free Woody – (17/5/5/3) – Moon Jung Kyun
9. Triple Seven – (15/4/2/4) – Choi Beom Hyun
10. Taebaek Janggun – (25/7/3/0) – Park Tae Jong
11. Namchonuijijon – (20/6/7/3) – Jung Ki Young
12. Geumsuni – (21/6/4/2) – Han Sung Yeol

Weekend Preview

It’s the first leg of the Korean Triple Crown and KRA Cup Mile Weekend gets underway at Busan Race Park on Friday afternoon with a ten race card. Seoul then takes over on Saturday before both tracks run a card on Cup Mile day on Sunday. The big race is off at 15:45 on Sunday at Busan (see full preview) and will be simulcasted to Seoul.

Busan Race Park

Friday April 3: 10 races, first post 13:00
Sunday April 5: 6 races, first post 12:40

Seoul Race Park

Saturday April 4: 12 races, first post 11:20
Sunday April 5: 11 races, first post 11:20

Jeju Race Park hosts nine races on Saturday and ten on Sunday. The weather is forecast to be warm, dry and bright. Come Racing!

Twelve Up For Triple Crown Opener

There were no last minute surprise additions and no late withdrawals as the final declarations for Sunday’s KRA Cup Mile at Busan Race Park were published on Wednesday. The unbeaten Impeccable heads the field which will go to post at 15:45.

Leading jockey Ikuyasu Kurakane will partner highly rated Sky Star and there is a first big race ride in Korea for South African jockey Martin Wepner who will take the reins on Namdo Jeap. The race will also see the first trial of Trifecta betting in Korea.

Here is the full list of runners, records and riders:

KRA Cup Mile (G.III) – Busan Race Park – 1600M – Apr 5, 2009

1. Power Boy [Lost Mountain – Keon-Gon Ch’eonggi (Pro For Sure)] C (7/2/3/1) – Lim Sung Sil
Has never gone further than seven furlongs although finished ahead of three of this field last time out – but that was back in January.
2. Geumbit Sesang [Duality – Shawnee Sunset (True Colors)] C (4/3/0/0) – Chae Gyu Jun
Won over the distance in March
3. Yeonseung Daero [Creek Cat – Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] C (7/5/1/1) – Kim Eu Su
Stepped up to class 1 early and finished a creditable third behind Procyon and Ebony Storm over this distance in March. A real chance.
4. Sandeomi [Commendable – Regal Meg (Regal Classic)] C (7/4/0/1) – Jo Chan Hoon
Won over this distance in February although was well beaten by Sky Star last time out. Dropping back to a mile could suit though.
5. Sky Star [Tahamkke – Blue Lark (Ravenwood)] C (8/4/1/0) – Ikuyasu Kurakane
A winner at this distance and at class 2 level. With Busan’s top jockey on board, he’ll have plenty of supporters.
6. Namdo Jeap [Ft. Stockton – Wandering Katie (Tejano)] C (5/3/1/1) – Martin Wepner
On a run of three straight wins but has never gone further than six furlongs. If he gets the trip, this half brother of last year’s winner Rainmaker, will be in contention.
7. Money Teukgeup [Ft. Stockton – Headwork (Silveyville)] C (7/2/3/1) – Shin Hyoung Cheol
A regular placer up at Seoul but has been in weak company so far.
8. Impeccable [Distilled – Belle Breezy (Foolish Pleasure)] C (4/4/0/0) – Park Geum Man
Unbeaten and eased down every time. The one doubt is he’s never gone a mile. His times have been nothing special but they haven’t needed to be. Potentially very good.
9. Pangpang [Revere – Awishnotalark (Rio’s Lark)] F (9/2/0/1) – Choi Si Dae
Finishing out of the money last time out, it would be a surprise if the filly made much of an impact.
10. Sangseung Ilro [Concept Win – Ms. Whiskey (Whiskey Wisdom)] F (5/3/1/1) – Eiki Nishimura
Has won her last three races including one over the distance.
11. Dream Wings [Exploit – American Royalty (Alleged)] F (5/2/1/0) – Lee Seung Jae
Finished a long way behind Sangseung Ilro last time.
12. Love Cat [Creek Cat – Love Cue (Curia Regis)] F (8/5/0/2) – Choi Beom Hyun
Seoul’s top filly will have no problems getting the trip and her times suggest that if she takes to the Busan track, she could be in contention. Choi Beom Hyun goes south with her.

2008 Winner: Rainmaker [Revere – Wandering Katie (Tejano)]. Last year’s winner came into the race with two wins and three thirds from his five outings. The Cup Mile was his first attempt at anything over seven furlongs. Rainmaker went on to disappoint in the Korean Derby and suffered a knee injury in the Minister’s Cup at Seoul in October.

Weekend Preview

Busan will start things off with a ten race Friday card before the action moves north to Seoul on Saturday. Both tracks host a card on Sunday.

Busan Race Park

Friday March 27: 10 races, first post 13:00
Sunday March 29: 6 races, first post 12:40

Seoul Race Park

Saturday March 28: 12 races, first post 11:20
Sunday March 29: 11 races, first post 11:20

Jeju Race Park will hold its regular Saturday and Sunday cards with a first post time of 12:10 on both days. After last weekend’s summer-like weather, the peninsula has shivered its way through the week. Nevertheless it should be a dry weekend.

Weekend Preview

Subsidy vs Vicar Love & Baekjeonmupae / Triple Seven vs Tu Won
It’s Busan Ilbo Cup weekend and while the big race is on Sunday afternoon (see preview below), there’s plenty of other action to look forward to.

As usual, Busan gets things underway with ten races on Friday afternoon. The feature will see Hwanggeumbit Taeyang look to get back in form after a disappointing start to the year. Wonder Love and King Kephalos will be amongst those out to stop him. In addition to the the Cup race, Sunday’s Busan card also features a clash of two 2008 Classic winners as Gaeseon Janggun and Ebony Storm face other over 2000 metres. They’ll have the back in form mare Mirae Cheonsa for company.

At Seoul Race Park, Saturday’s highlight sees Vicar Love taking on Baekjeonmupae and Subsidy. Top sprinter Gamadongja joins them and will have a significant weight advantage in the 2000 metre test. Subsidy got the better of Baekjeonmupae last month when both were soundly beaten by Playing Politics and with Vicar Love back in form after his Grand Prix disappointment, it looks an intriguing race.

On Sunday, Triple Seven and Tu Won will meet again in the feature race. Dashing Champ will also be among those lining up for race 10. Also on Sunday, Shaving Points, who began his racing career so impressively this time last year before being blighted with injury, makes his first appearance of 2009.

Busan Race Park

Friday March 20: 10 races, first post 13:00
Sunday March 22: 6 races, first post 12:40

Seoul Race Park

Saturday March 21: 12 races, first post 11:20
Sunday March 22: 11 races, first post 11:20

Jeju Race Park hosts cards on Saturday and Sunday with first post at 12:10. A wet weekend is forecast. Busan should escape rain on Friday but showers are expected on Saturday and Sunday.

* Not taking any part in the weekend’s action is jockey Choi Jung Seob. The 29 year old has been suspended for three months and trainer Lee In Ho fined KRW 2 Million under the non-triers rule following Choi’s ride on Lhotse Shar in race 10 at Seoul last Saturday. Lhotse Shar finished a close fourth in the race which can be viewed here. The horse in question breaks from stall 10.

Full Field for Busan Ilbo

Fourteen will come under orders for the Busan Ilbo Cup this coming Sunday as Busan Race Park hosts its first big fillies race of the year. Among those lining up will be Japanese bred Jilju Hara who has won four of her six starts and US import Mighty Hero, who has run the fastest over the 1400 metre distance and comes into the race off the back of three straight wins. Three domestically foaled fillies will also be taking part with Galmaegi Kkum joined by Mentor and Haste, both of whom have suffered only one defeat in their careers so far.

The Busan Ilbo Cup is race 5 of a six race card at Busan on Sunday and comes under orders at 15:35. Full list of runners, records and riders:

Busan Ilbo Cup – Busan Race Park – 1400M – Mar 22, 2009

1. Neat Play (JPN) (14/1/3/4) – Moon Joong Won
2. Lady Pres (USA) (6/1/3/2) – Yang Young Nam
3. Haste (KOR) (4/3/0/1) – Ikuyasu Kurakane
4. Yeongwonhanhangbok (USA) (13/3/2/3) – Eiki Nishimura
5. Mighty Hero (USA) (6/3/0/0) – Jo Chang Wook
6. Galmaegi Kkum (KOR) (7/2/2/1) – Jo Chan Hoon
7. Charm And Harm (USA) (7/3/1/1) – Han Sang Gyu
8. Global Jeongsang (NZ) (7/2/1/0) – Lee Seung Jae
9. Jilju Hara (JPN) (6/4/1/0) – Kim Tae Jun
10. Mentor (KOR) (5/4/0/0) – Park Geum Man
11. Smart As Me (USA) (8/3/2/0) – Kim Eu Su
12. Phasmes (USA) (8/3/1/4) – Jo Sung Gon
13. Graceful Ballerina (USA) (14/3/1/4) Chae Gyu Jun
14. City Bon (USA) (8/3/2/1) – Martin Wepner

Weekend Preview

The weekend is almost upon us and that means that after a four day break, racing returns to the peninsula. Busan will start things off on Friday, Seoul and Jeju race on Saturday and all three tracks will host cards on Sunday.

Headlining the weekend’s action is Saturday’s showdown between Mighty Runner and Namchonuijijon over 2000 metres at Seoul. A late developer, five year old Mighty Runner has won his last five outings and will still have a two kilo advantage over Namchonuijijon. Last year’s Ttukseom Cup winner struggled after his big race win, but was second last time and returns after more than two months off. Busan’s main event is on Friday with Luna and Pick Me Up among a field of twelve going over nine furlongs.

With just three weeks to go until the first leg of the Triple Crown, it’s possible that the the future KRA Cup Mile winner has already had their last outing before the big race, but nevertheless there remain some three year olds to look out for. At Seoul, Red Ball steps up in class in race 10 on Saturday in a bid to make it three straight wins while on Sunday, Seokcheong, who suffered his first reverse last time out, will appear in race 8. Busan hosts a three year old race on Sunday with Namdo Jeap looking the pick of a small field of eight.

Busan Race Park

Friday March 13: 10 races, first post 13:00
Sunday March 15: 6 races, first post 12:40

Seoul Race Park

Saturday March 14: 12 races, first post 11:20
Sunday March 15: 11 races, first post 11:20

Jeju Race Park hosts nine races on Saturday and ten on Sunday with first post at 12:10 both days. At Seoul, Saturday should be dry and bright but cold, Sunday should be warmer but with a chance of rain. Rain is also forecast at Busan on Friday but it’s expected to be mild and dry by Sunday.

Weekend Preview

Bally Brae headlines card / Impeccable steps up
After four consecutive second place finishes, Bally Brae will be looking to be back in the Winner’s Circle at Seoul Race Park on Saturday afternoon. The seven year old older brother of the stricken Playing Politics should be favoured as he takes on a field of just seven rivals over 2000 metres. Among those up against him are Seoul Teukgeup and Angus Empire.

Sunday’s main event at Seoul is a low profile domestic affair. Machine Gun tops the weights of a 2000 metre handicap. Busan will get things underway on Friday with a ten race card. Yeongung Manse headlines a competitive domestic field in the first of two feature races while Golding, Florida Native and Boryeong Bulbit are among those going in the race for foreign bred horses.

There are a number of three year olds to look out for over the weekend. Chief among them is the Peter Wolsley trained Impeccable [Distilled – Bellebreezy (Foolish Pleasure)]. The colt is three for three, cantering to a ten length victory last time and steps up in class in race 6 at Busan tomorrow. Also on Friday, Geumbit Sesang [Duality – Shawnee Sunset (True Colors)] looks to recover from a disappointing last outing in race 7. At Seoul the colt Event [Creek Cat – Forget Me Dot (Citidancer)] goes in the last on Sunday.

Busan Race Park

Friday March 6: 10 races, first post 13:00
Sunday March 8: 6 races, first post 12:40

Seoul Race Park

Saturday March 7: 12 races, first post 11:20
Sunday March 8: 11 races, first post 11:20

Weather in Seoul is forecast to be dry and mild with the only trace of the current rain being a wet track. At Busan, rain is forecast for Sunday. Jeju Race Park hosts cards on Saturday and Sunday with a 12:10 start on both days.