Blue Pin claimed his first ever class 1 victory in the feature event at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. The four-year old got the better of top mare and favourite Lucky Mountain at the end of the ten-furlong race.
Blue Pin is out of the mare Telegraph Road. Imported to Korea in 2006, she has foaled just one other runner to make the track so far. He is, of course, Northern Ace and will go for glory in the Korean Derby next Sunday.
Down at Busan, six-year old Boryeong Bulbit scored his first win for over a year as he beat favourite Viva Canon into second place in the nine furlong feature.
On Saturday, Angus Empire won the big race at Seoul. With Moon Se Young partnering him for the first time, the US bred six-year old was a dominant three length winner from Free Hugs and Noubeau Riche.
Angus Empire was one of three winners for Moon Se Young over the weekend. Fellow top jockey Cho Kyoung Ho also landed three but it was a good weekend for apprentices too with both Park Sang Woo and Kim Hae Sun recording winners on both Saturday and Sunday.
Apprentice Kim Hae Sun - 2 winners this weekend
So a low-key weekend comes to its conclusion but it really is the calm before the storm. We are now just seven days away from possibly the most heavily anticipated Korean Derby ever. Money Car, Seonbongbulpae and Northern Ace will be among twelve colts lining up at Seoul Race Park next Sunday. Full build-up begins tomorrow.
Captain Sir, Sangseung Ilro unplaced as filly triumphs
Useung Geotap was just too quick for everybody else as she cruised to an easy victory in the Gukje Sinmun Cup at Busan Race Park this afternoon. Bursting out of the gate, she never let any of her eleven rivals get close to her, loping away for a three-length win from Crafty Louis.
Pre-race favourite Captain Sir came home a disappointing seventh. He followed the filly out of the gate but tired badly in the home straight. Last year’s Derby winner Sangseung Ilro was one of a number of horses dropping back to seven furlongs in search of the big prize the Gukje Sinmun offered. But although she rallied late on, she ran out of track and out of time to make a significant challenge finishing fifth.
Yeongung Manse was the best placed Korean bred horse. Winner of last year’s Governor’s Cup, the five-year old finished third. Useung Geotap arrived in Korea last May and now, with six wins from eight starts looks well on the way to challenging for Champion filly honours.
Gukje Sinmun Cup – Busan Race Park – 1400M – May 2, 2010
1. Useung Geotap (USA) [Dehere – Answer To Me (Peteski)] – Jo Sung Gon – 5.7, 2.1 2. Crafty Louis (USA) [Louis Quatorze – Crafty Atlantic (Crafty Prospector)] – Jo Chang Wook – 1.4 3. Yeongung Manse (KOR) [Sharp Appeal – Saratogasplash (Wild Again)] – Chae Gyu Jun – 4.1
Distances: 3 lengths/1.75 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Jilju Hara; 5. Sangseung Ilro; 6. Jungwon Jepae; 7. Captain Sir; 8. New World Record; 9. Cheogo Beoltong; 10. Angle Slam; 11. Smart As Me; 12. Rolling On Strong
Up at Seoul Race Park, a bumper crowd of in excess of 60,000 took advantage of the warmest day of the year so far to try their hand at some punting. And a lot of them would have come unstuck in the feature race when long odds-on favourite Brothers unseated jockey Choi Bum Hyun as the stalls opened. Second favourite Super Jet took full advantage and landed the prize.
Choi Won Joon gets his second winner of the afternoon
It was a mixed day for Moon Se Young. The jockey increased his lead at the top of the overall standing with three winners from the first four races but the suffered a hand injury while being thrown off Winning Scan in yet another starting stall incident (the third this weekend) in race 6. Although he recovered sufficiently to guide Winning Scan to third place, he had to give up the remainder of his rides.
His loss was Choi Won Joon’s gain and the young rider made the most of his opportunity on Saeroungmaun in the all-filly race 8. Choi was completing a double having earlier won the race, riding Seungniuijewang, in which Moon was injured.
Siinui Norae springs surprise / National Leader wins
Siinui Norae pulled off a surprise win in the day’s biggest race but it was three-year old filly D Day who produced the performance of the day on a sunny spring afternoon at Seoul Race Park.
Stepping up to class 2 company for the first time after a victory one division below earlier this month, D Day comfortably saw off eleven rivals over nine furlongs with jockey Won Jung Il riding hands and heels and easing up from the furlong pole.
D Day (right) takes the final corner
D Day [Belong To Me – Please Don’t Look (Rahy)] qualifies as Korean bred as her dam was inported from Australia while pregnant, but is ineligible for the Classics.
At 55/1, Siinui Norae was the unlikely winner of the feature race of the afternoon. The five-year old held off late challenged from favourite Bungjeongmalli and New Rider to win by three quarters of a length.
In other races, US bred National Leader recorded the fourth win of his career. For jockey Choi Bum Hyun, it was his fourth win of the afternoon.
Hushtilled won the biggest prize of her career so far and completed a hat-trick of winners for jockey Moon Se Young on a beautiful Spring afternoon at Seoul Race Park.
Hustilled - A winner today
The three year-old filly led the field from gate-to-wire to win the class 3 race 9, run over the Derby and Oaks distance of 1800 metres. Hushtilled, who was second to Seonbongbulpae in last year’s Herald Business Cup, was only recording her third win, but she has never been outside the money in eleven starts.
It was yet another good day for jockey Moon Se Young as he seeks to regain the championship he lost through injury last year. Moon guided another filly, Fortunata to her first ever victory in race 6 and was successful again on Gippeun Sesang in race 8. The Canadian bred Gippeun Sesang [Behrens – Bellus (Saint Ballado)] was breaking his maiden at the twenty-second attempt.
Moon Se Young drives Fortunata, the first of his three winners, to the front
Money Teukgeup was victorious in Seoul’s most valuable race of the day but it was at similarly sunny Busan where the afternoon’s feature race took place. And it was favourite Lucky Dancer who put in a commanding performance to win by nine lengths from Sky Star and Conqueror over 1800 metres. Five-year old Lucky Dancer now has eight wins from eighteen starts.
The sunshine brought out the biggest crowd of the year so far to Seoul Race Park today. With May usually bringing the peninsula’s best weather of the year as well as a host of big races, capped of course by the Derby, hopefully they’ll all be back very soon.
Late cherry blossoms and a busy infield at Seoul Race Park today
Saeroun Taeyang & Dongbang Rose go down / Hanramyeongseng wins Jeju Halla Ilbo
Bally Brae continued to roll back the years and produced a commanding performance to land the weekend’s feature race. But while the old boy was on-form on Saturday, there were disappointments on Sunday for Classic hopefuls Dongbang Rose and Saeroun Taeyang.
Bally Brae: A winner again
Just a few months ago, Bally Brae looked to be entering the endgame of his career. For the first time in his career he went consecutive races out of the money and only finished sixth in the season-ending Grand Prix. Following his great rival Subsidy into retirement seemed only a matter of time.
Nevertheless, he came back out as an eight-year old and ran an encouraging third in his season opener back in January. Three weeks later he was in the winner’s circle and that’s where he’s been ever since. On Saturday he once more led from gate-to-wire and was three lengths clear on the line from regular rivals Dankee’s Pal – to whom he was giving eight kilos – and Vicar Love. Bally Brae now has a record of eighteen wins from thirty-six starts.
It wasn’t such a good weekend for this year’s Classic hopefuls. Down at Busan, Saeroun Taeyang was sent off favourite but, after a disastrous start, failed to place in a race over the Derby distance of nine furlongs, placing in doubt her chances of travelling to Seoul for the Derby next month.
Meanwhile in the capital, the previously unbeaten Dongbang Rose, thought to be the pick of sire Volponi’s first Korean crop, slumped to her first defeat. The filly was sent off the odds-on favourite for the 1700 metre race 8 but ould only manage third as fellow three-year old filly Cheonun strode to a four-length win.
Perhaps the most meaningful race of the weekend though was on Jeju Island, where the favourite, Hanramyeongseng, carrying a back-breaking 75 kilos, won the Halla Ilbo Cup.
Lucky Mountain second as returning Baekpa is fourth
Baekpa produced an exciting late run but it was favourite Triple Seven who sprinted to victory in the Ttukseom Cup at Seoul Race Park this afternoon. Under Choi Bum Hyun, the five-year old first overcame Gangho Jewang and then held off Lucky Mountain and Baengnyeonbong in an action-packed final furlong.
SBS Cup winner Hallyu Star set the pace early on before Gangho Jewang took command with a furlong to go. The big guns came from the back, however, and it was Triple Seven who was the quickest, coming wide to take the lead and hit the line a length and a half clear of second favourite Lucky Mountain.
Fourth by the narrowest of margins was the returning Baekpa. After a year and a half away – which had involved an ill-fated three race stint the US – few gave the 2007 Oaks winner any chance in a race that used to form part of the Korean Triple Crown.
Baekpa back in the paddock at last
Entering the home straight she was practically last but then, with Yoo Seung Wan – a jockey who also spent much of last year in the States – on board, she started to motor and overtook horse after horse before the line came just a little too soon. Her talent is still there and we can hopefully look forward to seeing much more of Baekpa as the season progresses.
As for Triple Seven, third in last year’s President’s Cup, his ninth win is by far the biggest of his career.
Triple Seven and Choi Bum Hyun in the Winner's Circle
Ttukseom Cup (KOR.G.III) – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – Apr 11, 2010
1. Triple Seven [The Groom is Red – Impudence (Grand Lodge)] – Choi Bum Hyun – 1.9, 1.2 2. Lucky Mountain [Silent Warrior – Myeonggaheui (Revere)] – Park Tae Jong – 1.4 3. Baengnyeonbong [Al Naba – Sansovino Art (Mister C.)] – Oh Kyoung Hoan – 2.1
Down at Busan, Yeonseung Daero got back to winning ways in the feature race. As ever, the four-year old was matched against overseas-bred opposition and, under a patient ride from Park Geum Man, comfortably saw off the rest of the field over 2000 metres.
Dongbanui Gangja made it twelve wins in a row at Seoul Race Park this afternoon as he came with his characteristic late run to overcome Big Sox in the final few metres of the ten furlong feature handicap. It looked as though for once he had been allowed to drift far too wide in the home straight, but Choi Bum Hyun was able to get enough out of the five-year old to just sneak home.
Meanwhile, Derby hope Northern Ace breezed to his fourth win from four starts against a hopelessly mismatched class 4 field. Significantly, it was Northern Ace’s first effort around two turns and he now goes on to challenge the KRA Cup Mile winner Money Car in the big showdown in May.
Money Car produced a sterling performance to leave the rest of the best of the nation’s three-year olds stalled in the Busan sand as he won the KRA Cup Mile, the first leg of the Korean Triple Crown at Busan Race Park this afternoon.
Starting the odds-on favourite in a field which was reduced to thirteen following the scratching of Dae Wan (which is another story in itself), Park Tae Jong launched Money Car at full throttle out of the gate and into an early lead. No-one came to challenge him and he was able to cruise away from the field as they left the final corner and entered the home straight – eleven lengths the margin at the finish.
Triple Sinhwa led the field home as a distant second, just edging out second favourite Cheonnyeondaero. South African jockey Martin Wepner’s mount, Dangdae Bulpae, was sent off third in the betting but finished a disappointing eighth. Australian trainer Peter Wolsley saddled both Saeroun Taeyang and Mega Tough, who finished fifth and twelfth respectively.
Money Car is one of the few foals to make the track by the young sire Newsprint, who died tragically young late in 2009. He’s now won six of his seven starts and although his main challenger for Triple Crown honours, Northern Ace, was absent today, Money Car is now in pole position for the Korean Derby which is just over a month away.
Money Car’s victory was the first for a Seoul based horse in a Classic since the Triple Crown series was opened up to runners from both the nation’s thoroughbred tracks. The last horse from the Capital to win one was J.S Hold who would, of course, go on to sweep all three in 2007.
KRA Cup Mile (KOR.G.II) – Busan Race Park – 1600M – Apr 4, 2010
1. Money Car (KOR) [Newsprint – Pinocchio (Big Sur)] – Park Tae Jong – 1.6, 1.1 2. Triple Sinhwa (KOR) [Capital Spending – Claudia’s Secret (Crafty Prospector)] – Chae Gyu Jun – 2.9 3. Cheonnyeondaero (KOR) [Creek Cat – Doneitmyway (Northern Flagship)] – Jo Sung Gon – 1.4
Distances: 11 lengths/0.5 lengths Also Ran: 4. Forest Wind; 5. Saeroun Taeyang; 6. The Almighty; 7. Udeumji; 8. Dangdae Bulpae; 9. Glory Yeongwang; 10. Baekjeom Manjeom; 11. Almighty Hit; 12. Mega Tough; 13. Sliver Mon
Non-runner: Dae Wan
Money Car wasn’t the only one of the ill-fated Newsprint’s progeny to score today. Up at Seoul Race Park, 2009 Champion Juvenile, Seonbongbulpae, was an emphatic winner in the class 2 race 9 and has qualified for the top-tier of racing. Could a showdown with Money Car in the Derby be the ultimate tribute to his sire?
On any other afternoon, Seonbongbulpae would have been the star at Seoul, but today was not just another day. The main event in the capital was the coming of age of a different three-year old. Overseas-bred horses aren’t eligible for the Triple Crown but do make up the elite of those running on the peninsula. Tough Win [Yonaguska – Maggie May’s Sword (Sword Dance)] is one of the most exciting of those to arrive in Korea in recent times and went into today’s showdown with Bulpae Gisang – winner of last year’s Busan Metropolitan and recognised as the second best horse in Korea – with a perfect five from five record.
He maintained it. Haengun Daewang, a winner last time out, set the early pace, but Tough Win took command as the field entered the home straight. Bulpae Gisang is a closer and under Choi Bum Hyun he did indeed make a late run. The younger horse always had things in hand though and, while he won’t have a four kilo weight advantage again, punters were already thinking this could be the horse who could take on Dongbanui Gangja later on this season.
Any final clash would potentially be in the season ending Grand Prix. Today Money Car and Tough Win were both first to their respective “chequered flags”. Later this year we may find out who is the greatest “Prancing Horse”.
Segye Ilbo Stakes winner Florida Sox stepped up to nine furlongs but punters were left no nearer to knowing whether the exciting filly can handle two turns after she returned lame at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.
Florida Sox had won three of her four races to date and was sent-off the odds-on favourite in the class 2 race 9. However, with an aggressive front-running style, there were doubts as to whether she would have the stamina to last in longer distance races as opposed to the sprints that she had dominated.
As ever, she bounced out of the gate in the lead and looked comfortable heading into the home straight. When it was time to start sprinting, however, jockey Boo Min Ho could find nothing and he gradually eased the filly out of the race as outsider Baramsan came through for a 50/1 victory. Florida Sox will be out for at least four months.
Love Cat
In the main event, it was another filly, Love Cat, who was in top form. Under Choi Bum Hyun, the four-year old – winner of last year’s Sports Seoul Stakes – romped to victory in the class 1 race 11, beating Chamgippeum by four lengths. Love Cat now has eight wins from seventeen starts.
In other races on a glorious Spring day at Seoul Race Park, there was a smart win for filly D Day, who strolled to victory in race 9. There were also two returns of note. Jockey Kim Ok Sung, rode his first races after a two and a half month ban for a combination a poor ride and failing a breath test. The “Smile Jockey” didn’t trouble the placings throughout the afternoon.
D Day was a winner today
Meanwhile, three-year old filly Raipai made only her second racecourse appearance. Her first was seven long months ago, at the end of August last year. In that race, she veered wildly off course at the start and collided with the rails, ruling jockey Moon Se Young out for three months and herself for much longer. Today there were no problems as she led from the start to secure a six length win.
Racing returns to Seoul on Sunday when Bulpae Gisang Vs Tough Win tops the bill. The main business of the day though will of course be down at Busan as the 2010 Triple Crown series gets underway in the shape of the KRA Cup Mile.
For the second consecutive week, a dusty Saturday gave way to a sunny Sunday at Seoul Race Park. While the worst of the latest dust-storm to hit the peninsula came on Friday evening, there was still enough in the air yesterday to make for an unpleasant afternoon.
Yoo Sang Wan won on Seungundaeseung
There were no such worries today though as Seungundaeseung upset Gi Ra Seong and Taesanbukdu to claim the feature Sports Donga Cup. Punters sent Gi Ra Seong off the favourite but it was Yoo Sang Wan on six-year old Seungundaeseung who got the better of a tight finish ahead of Free Woody. Taesanbukdu was third as Gi Ra Seong wilted in the final furlong.
Down at Busan, a small but very competitive field contested the main ten furlong handicap. Highly rated US bred three-year old Captain Sir led for almost the whole race only to be pipped on the line by Seonnyang Yongsa, the Australian bred gelding snatching a second victory of 2010.
Meanwhile, for the fourth consecutive meeting at Busan, all horses from trainer Kim Young Kwan’s stable were scratched.
Good form: Lee Ae Li
It was a good day for female riders at both tracks. Seonnyang Yongsa was partnered by Japanese jockey Hitomi Miyashita, scoring her seventeenth winner of the year. Up at Seoul, Lee Ae Li, took race 3 on Victory Camp. For the resurgent Lee, it was a third winner from fifteen rides in March.
Horse Racing in Korea 