With the Jeju ponies taking their summer weekend off, it makes for a bumper Friday raceday at Busan with 14 races running through the afternoon and evening from 14:00 to 21:00. Here are the previews:

Busan nights

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(9) PAGEUKCHEON came up short when sent off as the odds on favourite on hat was his third start on June 7^th. That followed back to back 4^ths in his opening two appearances and he can be given another chance to come out on top here. 3^rd place getter that day was (6) CHEOGANG WINNER and she seems likely to be the main danger. She has a much better draw today to get to the front early and can take advantage. (2) DAEGYO and (4) HAPPY AGAIN look to have scope for improvement while the wildcard is (10) MYEONG GONGJU, who is returning to action here just over a year since we last saw her. She had shown some ability if four starts before the layoff and trialed up competently last month.

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

Weak maiden here so we’ll need to forgive plenty of underwhelming latest starts if we’re to find the winner. (4) TWO TWO WAY was well backed but once again struggled when sent out around 1300M at the end of May. Her last two tries at this distance have been encouraging though and she should be set for improvement here. She’ll be on the early pace with (1) CHODONG DAEJANG, who races for the first time since finishing well back behind three of these on May 10. However, she was found to be slightly lame that day and back fully fit after two months off, she should be a different prospect. (2) YONGHO and (8) BEAUTIFUL KOREA were two of those who finished ahead of her that day. Both have raced since with mixed results but could go close here. (5) ECTON STEALTH is one with potential to improve.

Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maidens here with five of the eleven racing for the first time. A few of the experienced ones have shown some ability though so we’ll start with them. Indeed, four of them raced each other on their respective debuts over 1000M on June 28^th. (6) WONDERFUL PEACE came out the best of them that day only beaten a neck into 2^nd place. (7) TOP FIRE was 3^rd, a length in arrears, while (5) ALPHA KING was back in 5^th. All three should be in the hunt again although with the slight step up in trip today, Top Fire, who raced wide throughout that day, could be the one to beat. (4) ECHO SUN put in a good debut of his own a week earlier, running 2^nd over the 1000M. He was improving at the end on that race, getting to within a nose of the winner and is another who may appreciate the additional furlong. Of the first-timers, (3) STAR OREUM is the pick. He was an eye-catching trial winner at the end of June and should go well here.

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

Another competitive maiden. Three of these raced each other over this distance on June 21^st with (1) MAJOR HIT, (6) WONDERFUL WINGS and (9) MS. UP filling out 2^nd to 4^th respectively. All three will be expected to be in the frame today. Ms. Up can perhaps be the one with the most improvement in her and she’s marginally favoured to come from off the pace and score. Among those who didn’t go in that race, (3) AMOR FATI looks the pick. Having trialed behind Ms. Up in May, he ran 2^nd over this distance in June before struggling when sent off as favourite over a mile three weeks ago. Back down in trip today, he should be much better. The other one to consider is (8) NANSAN YEOJE. She ran an improved 3^rd at this distance on June 21^st on what was just her second career start and is likely to be on pace here.

Race 5: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(7) PERDIDO ROCKET ran a solid 2^nd when up to this trip on his second start on May 31^st. He was beaten a full nine-lengths by a good winner but nevertheless, it was a promising performance and one he can build on here. (5) WILD GUY beat no fewer than four of these on his way to a second consecutive 3^rd place finish on July 5^th. He was only a neck away from 2^nd and should be competitive again here. Among the ones Wild Guy beat that day, (4) HIDDEN BOY, who was 4^th, looks to have the most potential to get closer although (6) FINAL WIND, who ran poorly in that race, had previously demonstrated ability too. (3) MAJOR PUNCH has lacked a bit of speed but has been consistently close across five starts so far and can be competitive again here.

Race 6: Class 6 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

A strong favourite is expected here in the shape of (1) HUSE JEWANG. True, he’s fallen short when market-leader twice already but he’s run up against good ones both times and stepping up to a mile for the first time, should have too much. (11) TIZBE looks the main danger. She took to this distance really well on June 28^th, beating four of these on her way to 2^nd place. The wide draw shouldn’t be too much of a problem and she looks to have more improvement in her. (6) ETERNAL TRON has finished 2^nd and 3^rd in two efforts at this distance and looks to have a good shout of maintaining that placing record here. (4) BAEDAERI CAPER was 4^th behind Eternal Tron last time out and can aim to at least match that today. (5) BICHUI HOWI is best of the rest.

Race 7: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(10) HAPPY YEOGEOL was an unexpected winner on debut over this distance on June 28^th having only just barely qualified through her trial. She put in a gutsy performance though to win by a neck and should have come on for the run. Today looks harder but she has a chance. (4) ULSAN JANGGUN has just the one win from fourteen outings to date but he’s down in trip today and looks to have solid claims form a good draw. (2) BONINARA remains a maiden but has two runner-up finishes at this distance and is (more…)

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 9 races from 14:30 to 21:00. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

The first race to get us underway has a field of ten two-year-olds with eight of them having their first start in a race. It seems hard to go past the runners with experience here and (8) TWO TWO FAIRY looks the one to beat coming off a good performance when fourth behind Top Ace. The Hansen filly was beaten less than two lengths when having her first start and should take improvement from the run. (3) YEONGGWANGUI TIME comes out of the same race when finishing sixth. The filly should be able to get an economic run from barrier three with Choi Si-Dae taking the reins. (6) DOCTOR CARSON was good in his trial when running 1.03.2. Whilst not the fastest time on a wet track he was not fully extended by Jin Kyum. (5) WONDERFUL FLASH is another that trailed well and can figure with the right run.

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

A compact field of eight will line up over the 1300m in the second. (3) MERCI CHERIE brings the strongest form into a race that lacks depth. The Colors Flying colt finished second last time out in similar company when running on well from a midfield position. If he can sit in the first half, he should take some beating. (7) THUNDER BAY is still early in his career and showed improvement last time out. He ran on well last time out and he will get longer to wind up as he steps up to the 1300m for the first time. (2) BICHUI HOWI drops back from the mile where she placed last time out. That was her first top three finish from seven starts. (4) ANGEL KING STAR will have his second career start after finishing fifth on debut. He is another that can improve.

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

A field of eight lines up in the third once again over the 1300m. (5) PARADISE KING was promising on debut when finishing third behind Spice Rock. The three-year-old placed third in a blanket finish last time out when beaten less than two lengths. Top rider Choi Si-Dae will partner the chestnut once again. (8) MENI QUEEN was good in a recent trial when winning the event over 1000m. She coasted through the line in the event when running a fair time. (2) DARUI BADA ran on well last time out over the 1000m and will appreciate the step up to the 1300m. (3) PARTY WINNER drops back from the mile to line up in this event. The four-year-old has finished in the top five on four occasions from six starts.

Race 4: Class 5 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

The fourth on the card is by far the hardest race on the card to assess. With Seo Seung-Un suspended You Hyun-Myung has picked up a handy ride on (4) YEONGGWANGUI CHEER. The three-year-old has been racing well of late and backed up his maiden win with a runner-up performance in Class 5 company last time out. He has to carry the 57kg but he looks one of the main chances in a wide open race. (5) ROSE BULLET is another that backed up his maiden with a good performance when second behind Karin. Iaonnis Polluis will pilot the three-year-old from gate five which will suit his racing pattern. (7) PEACE RIDER placed last time out when third behind Daeho Jilju. He is yet to break maiden status but looks an each-way chance. (10) BAENGNICHONG was racing well before a break in weaker grade. The four-year-old has had a trial coming into this preparation.

Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

The fifth on the card has several chances with a field of eleven to line up over the six furlongs. (7) ULSAN JANGGUN has been thereabouts in this company at his past few starts and comes off a good performance behind Vega Thunder last time out. You Hyun-Myung will ride the three-year-old who should be an each-way price. (1) NAEGA SAEGANGJA goes into this race after trialing mid-June. The Hansen gelding won a Class 6 event last time out in good fashion and has never finished worse than fourth. (11) BAEJJANG saluted in similar company last time out and as a result has been elevated in the weight scale. He is every chance of winning again but the outside draw may prove problematic. (6) NEW JACK SWING retains the services of Choi Si-Dae after finishing fourth last time out. He looks a place chance at best. (more…)

The summer season gets underway at Busan today with 9 races from 14:30 to 21:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Nights

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Eight previously unraced juveniles make their racecourse debuts here. Catching the eye in the pedigree stakes is (7) TOP DAY. He’s the second foal out of 2013 Korean Derby winning filly Speedy First to make the track and the other one, Friday, is a winner of three from seven. Top Day trialed the fastest of these, albeit on a muddy track and is with top trainer Kim Young-kwan, so all signs point to him being a strong favourite. (4) YEONGSEONG BRAVO offered some hints of ability when further back in the same trial on June 8^th and looks one of the most likely to challenge here. (5) MARK ONE and (8) YEONGWON DYNAMO are others who showed promise in their respective heats and could go well.

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(5) HIDDEN BOY has made steady progress across five starts so far, culminating in 2^nd place over this distance on June 7^th with a couple of his rivals here back down the track behind him. Lim Sung-sil partners him for the third time and today could be breakthrough day. (6) GRAND JILJU was sent up to a mile in late May and struggled to the extent that he was forced back to trial. He looked sharp when winning his heat in mid-June and back at 1300M today, he should be a different prospect. (4) WILD GUY improved considerably last start and can continue to make progress today. (3) ACRA and (9) BORYEONG HWANHO, the latter possibly appreciating the step up in trip, others to look out for.

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(4) STOLEN BEAUTY ran 3^rd ahead of a couple of these over 1000M on June 14^th. Bart Rice’s filly has looked to have been figuring things out in her last couple of starts and she steps up in distance for the first time today with a good chance of going very close, likely looking to lead all the way. (8) ZET KING was a slightly disappointing 4^th when favourite over this distance three weeks ago. He previously has a 2^nd place at this trip, albeit in muddy conditions, and can be given another chance on him here – Lee Hyo-sik, who rode him in his best finish to date, returns to the ride. (7) WONDERFUL SUPAH has shown some aptitude for this trip and can be in the palcing hunt while (10) RINGING FLYING has come home in 4^th place in four of her last five outings – she could very well finish in the same position today.

Race 4: Class 6 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(1) AMOR FATI ran on very nicely indeed on debut over 1300M. Well back early, he ended up in 2^nd place and the step up to a mile today looks set to suit. That’s true too for (4) DONGBANG NARAE, who finished off well for 2^nd last start over 1300M and also stretches out in trip today for the first time. Both those will look to come from off the pace while the likely early leader is (5) ETERNAL TRON, whose best performance so far by some margin came at this distance in early May. It’s hard to see anything challenging him for the early lead so the only question is how well he stays on. (2) SUPER GREAT also ran creditably on his first attempt at the mile last start and can build on the 5^th place he managed. (8) SILVER BEST is another trying the distance for the first time and who could slide into some minor money.

Race 5: Class 4 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

(10) TRUE VALOR won three in a row in fine fashion between March and May enabling him to take his chance in the Minister’s Cup, the final leg of the Triple Crown, at Seoul three weeks ago. He was 7^th over the 2000M that day, but back in trip here and back in more amenable company, he’s the one to beat. The main danger is (2) POWER AMAZING. He is yet to win at this class but comes in following a decent 2^nd over this distance last time out and is well drawn to get to his preferred position at the head of the pack. (3) WHITE POINT finished 2^nd behind True Valor over 1800M on May 3^rd at lengthy odds and while inconsistent, could be a threat again today. (5) VEGA KHAN and the up in class last start winner (7) TEXAS SIDAE are others in at least the placing hunt.

Race 6: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(9) WONDERFUL TALE returned from seven months out to win well over 1000M on May 31^st. She’s up in class and in distance here but neither should be too much of a concern and she can win again, likely trying to lead all the way. She’ll be joined on the early speed by (8) NEOLBEUN GOEUL, who similarly returned from a lengthy spell out to record his maiden win four weeks ago and comes up in both class and trip today with potential for more. (10) FINE TRUMPET was sent back to trial after being very reluctant to go to the barrier when a hot favourite over 1300M three weeks ago. He won the resulting heat and can be given another chance here. So too can (11) SUCHEOJAKJU, who was scarcely involved over 1000M two weeks ago but is better than that and can aim for the places here. (1) PERFECT ACE is another up in class following a maiden win on his latest start. Today’s assignment is considerably stiffer but he can be competitive.

Race 7: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(2) ULTRA POWER comes in having made all to win by five-lengths at this distance on June 2^nd. He’s up in class today but is accordingly very nicely weighted and with Seo Seung-un aboard again, can win again. (5) CHEONNYEONUIJILJU ran 5^th behind unexpected winner (9) MYEONGSIN POWER on June 2^nd. Thomas Gillespie’s colt is yet to win in nine attempts but has run 2^nd on no fewer than five occasions and should be in at least the placing hunt again. (4) CEEYOUDOWNTHETRACK began his career very promisingly and while he seemed to have a bit of a wobble in March and April, he showed signs of returning to form with a 4^th place last start and should figure here. (7) SUPER GOLD made a promising return from a lengthy absence at the end of May and is another who can go close. There is one debut-maker and with (1) SYDNEY MANGCHI being trained by Kim Young-kwan and having done nothing wrong in his trial, he has every chance of going well first-up. Watch the market for additional clues about him.

Race 8: Class 3 (1800M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

(3) TOHAM ACE comes in here having won his latest three in an extremely pleasing manner. That’s sent him up to class 3 for the first time here and he’s also asked to stretch out to the 1800M for the first time. Both should be within his capability though and he looks the one to beat. It took (6) FIRST VICTORY a little while to figure things out but he’s won three of his seven to make it up to this class today. Crucially, he has experience of winning at this distance too and he’s a danger here. (1) FRIDAY has just gone off the boil a little in his latest two but returns after six weeks off and can be given another chance. (5) ALPHA RUNNER and (8) STORM GOLD are others whose respective latest appearances don’t reflect their true ability and they may go better here.

Race 9: Class 2 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million

(10) A PURE GOOD MAN beat four of these on his way to a two-length win over 1400M on May 19^th. He carries an additional 3.5kg today but he’s won over this distance under similar in the past and he looks the one to beat again. (1) YES PERFECT is a winner of three from seven so far and comes on off a close 3^rd place, less than a length behind the winner, in a similar race to this on June 9^th. He was on pace for much of that race and should be again here with solid claims of going close. (2) CHERRY VANQUISH was an also-ran in the Ttukseom Cup over 1400M at Seoul last month but was a good class 3 winner prior to that. She tries the mile for the first time and is under a nice light weight. (12) MAKING SEUNGNI and (5) THUNDER FLY finished 4^th and 5^th behind A Pure Good Man last time out with just a nose separating them. Both should be competing for the places today.