It’s Korean Derby weekend. KRA Cup Mile winner Power Blade heads a strong Busan contingent who are in the capital for Sunday’s showpiece, accompanied by all five of the track’s foreign jockeys. 

We’ll have a full preview of the big race tomorrow, but in the meantime, here’s what’s happening at Busan today. English language race cards are here.

Race 2: Class 6 / 1000M / Allowance / KRW 40 Million / 13:25 (KST)

After debuting last November, (4) MUJEOK VICAR returned last month and ran 3rd of twelve over this distance, beating two of the others who go here and must surely win this very modest affair. (2) B.K. SUN will be quick out of the gate and has claims on 2nd with (1) YEOKDONGUI JILJU and (3) DESTINY others who are set to get their biggest payday to date here.

Selections (4) Mujeok Vicar (3) Destiny (2) B.K. Sun (1) Yeokdongui Jilju
Next Best 5, 8
Outsiders 6, 7
Fast Starters 2

Race 3: Class 6 / 1200M / Allowance / KRW 20 Million / 14:10 (KST)

(9) IKSAN DAEWANG was 2nd on debut on April 15th and can come from off the pace to go one better here. That pace is likely to be set by (4) HAPPY JILJU, who hasn’t been far away in recent starts without really threatening a win and she can place again. Last time out, she beat (3) DAEJIUI HUIMANG by a couple of lengths and that one too can improve today. (2) PERFECT KING and the more experienced (7) CHASEDAE can also compete for the placings.

Selections (9) Iksan Daewang (4) Happy Jilju (3) Daejiui Huimang (2) Perfect King
Next Best 7, 6
Outsiders 1, 5, 8
Fast Starters 2, 4

Race 4: Class 5 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 15:00 (KST)

Big field but a clear favourite in the shape of (3) CHOEGANG DREAM. He’s up in class having been a four-length winner on what was his second career start on April 8th and should have too much for this lot. (9) SKY RUNNER and (11) GODAE are both also up in class following maiden victories last time and should be competitive while (2) SONATA ZONE and Shunsuke Yoshida’s (4) TAIL WIND are already experienced at this level and should go well.

Selections (3) Choegang Dream (4) Tail Wind (9) Sky Runner (2) Sonata Zone
Next Best 11, 5, 6
Outsiders 1, 7, 8, 10, 12
Fast Starters 3, 4

Race 5: Class 5 / 1400M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 15:50 (KST)

Perhaps the most competitive race of the day sees a couple of maidens both up in class having come close in each of their two most recent starts. (4) SMART KING was beaten a head by Godae (who we saw in race 4) last time out at 1300M having made all up to that point and has solid claims. (8) MACH BOLT is slightly less experienced but may very well appreciate tackling seven furlongs for the first time. (9) CHOEGANG EXCELLENT has already won and was 4th on his first try at this level just two weeks ago and will be a danger as will (2) GANGHO DREAM, who was half a length behind Choegang Excellent in that very same race two weeks ago. (10) IMPASSIONED MARINE is the other one with a big chance. She was 3rd last time out and looks to have a win in her at this level.

Selections (4) Smart King (8) Mach Bolt (9) Choegang Excellent (10) Impassioned Marine
Next Best 2, 3, 6
Outsiders 1, 5, 7, 11
Fast Starters 1, 4, 10

Race 6: Class 5 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 40 Million / 16:40 (KST)

(6) YEONGGWANGUI AGAIN was a 30/1 winner at class and distance on a wet track a month ago and while he must be respected here, others will be favoured. One of those he beat in that narrow finish and (1) CHOA is one of a number who will be on the early speed here and can go very well. (2) ALBERT VICAR is still looking for her maiden victory but dropped back to 1200M today should improve on the 4th she scored last start. (3) ONLY BLUE and Thomas Gillespie’s (7) MAJOR SLAM, who is up in class following a good win at this distance last month, are others to consider as is the other Yeonggwangui, (5) YEONGGWANGUISINHWA.

Selections (1) Choa (2) Albert Vicar (7) Major Slam (3) Only Blue
Next Best 5, 6
Outsiders 4, 8, 9, 10
Fast Starters 1, 2, 3, 6, 7

Race 7: Class 4 / 1300M / Handicap / KRW 55 Million / 17:20 (KST)

Coming in looking for a hat-trick of victories, the verdict must go to (5) KWAEHAN JILJU. An almost three-length winner at this class over 1200M last month, he is hard to oppose here. (2) CHEONMA CHUPUNGO is yet to win or come 2nd but can score a career best finish here while (3) BETTER THAN YOU is one of three entrants here who races for the first time this year. He looks better than the other two. Down in class, the very experienced (4) GIMAKHIN SEONTAEK may be competitive for the first time in a while.

Selections (5) Kwaehan Jilju (2) Cheonma Chupungo (3) Better Than You (4) Gimakhin Seontaek
Next Best 6, 7
Outsiders 1, 8
Fast Starters 1

Race 8: Class 4 / 1600M / Handicap / KRW 55 Million / 18:00 (KST)

Peter Wolsley’s (6) JIBONG BLUE has won two of three starts so far and while up in class today, should be winning this. She will likely look to lead from the gate and can make all. (1) CHEONJUNGWANG struggled at 1800M a month ago but should be better today while (2) GOLD LINE was a good winner over 1200M three weeks ago and can build on that here. (3) WORLD QUICK was 2nd at class and distance on April 1st and must be respected here and although (4) HWARYEOHANHAMSEONG may only have a solitary victory to his name, he is a tough competitor and is rarely far from the money.

Selections (6) Jibong Blue (1) Cheonjungwang (2) Gold Line (3) World Quick
Next Best 4, 7
Outsiders 5, 8
Fast Starters 3, 6

Race 9: Class 3 / 1800M / Handicap / KRW 72 Million / 18:30 (KST)

(5) HOSEUNGJIBYEOK suffered her only setback to date in an Oaks trial in March and got back to winning ways last month with a five-length victory over 1400M. She is up in class and also in distance today but there’s no reason why she can’t win again. The one who looks to have the potential to beat her is (7) DONGNAM CHEONHA. He is already a winner at this distance and has beaten some of these in recent starts. He should be looking to go better than the 3rd place he scored last time out. One race into a comeback, (8) BARAMUI JEONSEOL also looks backable for a place while (3) SEMPER FI and (6) YEONGGWANGUITAEPUNG can’t be ruled out.

Selections (5) Hoseungjibyeok (7) Dongnam Cheonha (3) Semper Fi (8) Baramui Jeonseol
Next Best 6, 2
Outsiders 1, 4
Fast Starters 3, 4

Race 10: Class 2 / 1200M / Handicap / KRW 88 Million / 19:00 (KST)

He’s five for five and (1) BIT BLADE finally returns today after just over a year out. He’s with Busan’s top stable and breezed through a barrier at the end of April in good style. He’ll look to make all here and has every chance of doing so. Also returning from a lengthy spell is (2) JIBONG SEUNGNI. He too looked sharp in trials and can go well first up. The main danger though could be (4) READY WHEN YOU ARE. He returned from a spell of his own a month ago to win a quick race at this distance and comes up in class today. (3) JILJU HWASIN and (5) CHOEGANG PLUS, the latter of whom beat three of those who go here in March, are others to look out for.

Selections (1) Bit Blade (4) Ready When You Are (2) Jibong Seungni (5) Choegang Plus
Next Best 3, 11, 9
Outsiders 6, 7, 8, 10
Fast Starters 1, 4, 8, 11

The President’s Cup is one of the highlights of the Korean racing season. Along with the Derby and the Grand Prix Stakes it boasts the higest purse of any race on the peninsula and is the race where the best of this year’s domestic three-year-olds, face older opposition. The 2015 edition takes place at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

For the past two years, the winner of the President’s Cup has gone on to win the Grand Prix. In 2013 it was Indie Band and in 2014 Gyeongbudaero. This year it is Indie Band’s full-brother, Rock Band, who is the one to beat.

And it is possible. The Derby winner Yeongcheon Ace takes his chance as does Rock Band’s stablemate Triple Nine. He was 2nd in both the Derby and the Minister’s Cup. Could he finally get the big prize this time? It is set to be a fascinating race. Here is a full run-down of the 16-strong field with race records. As per the race conditions, all are Korean bred:

The President’s Cup (KOR G1) – Seoul Racecourse – 2000M – October 18, 2015 (15:15)

1. Yeongcheon Ace [Menifee – Dixie Avenger (Dixie Union)] 3yo colt (11/4/3/4) – Choi Si Dae
The Korean Derby winner has to be respected. He won the Derby with a strong late run and has since run twice, finishing 3rd behind Rock Band and Triple Nine in both the Minister’s Cup and Owner’s Cup. He is likely to try to come from off the pace and will surely be looking to at least place again.

2. Impetus [Exploit – Miss Stravinsky (Stravinsky)] 5yo horse (27/7/2/8) – Ham Wan Sik
Impetus is a useful horse who comes in with a win and two third-place finishes from his last three starts. He can either go out quickly as he did when winning over 1800M in July or come from the back. He faded a little in the closing stages of his only previous try at 2000M though and it is hard to see him beating some of the Busan horses.

3. Triple Nine [Ecton Park – A Little Poke (Pleasant Tap)] 3yo colt (10/6/4/0) – Lim Sung Sil
There could be a lot more to come from this one. He has won six of his ten starts to date and he has 2nd places in the Derby to Yeongcheon Ace and in the Minister’s Cup and Owners’ Cup to Rock Band. In between he managed to win the Gyeongnam Do-Min Ilbo Cup. He is unlikely to want to lead but he will be close to the pace and will surely be involved in the business end of the race. Rock Band may be the more explosive right now but he is a very solid horse whose time will come.

4. Rock Band [Ecton Park – Plie (Dixieland Band)] 3yo colt (7/6/1/0) – Kim Yong Geun
The strong favourite and full brother of 2013 winner Indie Band. He didn’t run as a two-year-old and has only been beaten once in seven starts this year – and that day he was sore and got a terrible trip. He only stepped onto the Classic trail with the final leg, the Minister’s Cup, in which he duly made all to win and then followed it up in the Owners’ Cup. If something sets a crazy pace early or if he gets a bad trip again, he can be beaten but if he runs to his best he surely won’t

5. Mupae Daewang [Volponi – Mup’aegado (Lost Mountain)] 5yo gelding (29/5/3/2) – Seol Dong Bok
This will probably be the Busan horse with the fewest backers and he is yet to win at a higher level than class 3. He comes in following two victories from his last three starts but this will be too much. He generally doesn’t start quickly but may as well try to lead here.

6. Sotong Sidae [Gold Money – Myeonggauihuye (Black Minnaloushe)] 4yo gelding (26/7/4/6) – Park Byeong Yun
This is his frist race since winning the Sports Chosun Cup over this distance in August. That day he beat Haemaru, Pinot Noir and Heukgisa and he wil be fancied to beat them again. Beating the Busan visitors is another thing altogether though but he is perhaps Seoul’s best chance.

7. High Five [Creek Cat – Nam’s Gulch (Gulch)] 5yo horse (29/6/7/3) – Song Keong Yun
After three consecutive 2nd place finishes inclding to Triple Nine in the Gyeongnam Do Min Ilbo, High Five was a class 1 winner last time out over 1400M. He is quick and a place is possible here. He is likely to look to get forward early.

8. Gumpo Sky [Vicar – Perfect Storm (Didyme)] 4yo colt (24/9/7/3) – Kim Dong Young
A really good horse who was 7th in this race last year. He comes in having beaten Ildeung Hanghaesa and Goliath Marine at level weights in the Busan Ilbo Cup in August before running a disappointing last in the Owners’ Cup behind Rock Band last month. We will forgive him that though and give him another chance today. Winning will be tough but he can go well.

9. Ildeung Hanghaesa [Ecton Park – Saeroun Bulpae (Northern Afleet)] 4yo gelding (23/5/5/4) – Masakazu Tanaka
This is another for who winning will be tough but a money finish is possible.He hasn’t won since June but was 2nd to Goliath Marine when giving him weight in July before turning the tables on that horse when running 2nd to Gumpo Sky in August. He was 4th in the Owners’ Cup and the horses who beat him that day will be favoured to do so again but another 4th or even better can’t be ruled out.

10. Goliath Marine [Volponi – Queenie Bee (Geri)] 4yo gelding (25/5/4/4) – Pasquale Borelli
He beat Ildeung Hanghaesa with a weight advantage in July for his most recent win and was then an expected 3rd behind that one and Gumpo Sky in the Busan Ilbo in August at level weights. He was 4th over this distance in his most recent race and if he runs to his best, 4th can’t be completely ruled out. Others are more fancied though. Pasquale Borelli rides in his first Korean Stakes race.

11. Yaho Sunshine [Hawk Wing – Miss Redoubled (Alphabet Soup)] 3yo colt (14/5/2/1) – Lee Chan Ho
A revelation in recent months, he comes in here following three consecutive victories that have propelled him from class 4 to class 2 in double-quick time. His most recent win was in the TJK Trophy on August 29. Good as he is though, this is a huge step up. He has won by leading from the gate and from coming from just off the pace.

12. Jeongsang Bima [Forest Camp – Smokegetenyoureyes (Smokester)] 4yo colt (19/5/4/3) – Park Tae Jong
This one doesn’t arrive in very much form to speak of and is just one race into a comeback after a seven-month absence and was last of 12 in that. Obviously he needed the race but this should be too much. He generally likes to go back at the start and close late on but while the first half of that shouldn’t be a problem here, the closing part may be.

13. Haemaru [Vicar – Forest Flower (Timber Country)] 4yo gelding (19/7/1/4) – Moon Se Young
Along with Sotong Sidae this looks Seoul’s best shot. He was 3rd behind Sotong Sidae in the Sports Chosun Cup in August before disappointing in September over 1800M. He was sent back to trial earlier this month which he did well and with Moon Se Young riding him, he will be backed. The wildcard.

14. Singgeureounachim [Exploit – Singgeureoun (Mr. Adorable)] 7yo horse (52/10/9/13) – Kim Dong Soo
A super-expereinced horse and stalwart of the track for almost five years now. He returned to the winner’s circle for the first time in over a year in June, beating Impetus over this distance and has followed it up with two 4ths. He wil give a good account of himself but others should be sharper.

15. Pinot Noir [Capital Spending Neungnyeokchungman (Pacificbounty)] 5yo mare (21/5/6/2) – Park Eul Woon
The only mare in the race, Pinot Noir will be an outsider. She last won on October 2014 although she has only raced six times since. Her most recent start was in the Sports Chosun Cup in August when she ran 5th behind Sotong Sidae and Haemaru. She usually likes to go back and close but it is going to be tough today.

16. Heukgisa [A.P. Dancer – Mansumugang (Half Term)] 6yo gelding (30/11/5/2) – Lee Joon Chel
On the official ratings, only Gumpo Sky is rated higher but against a bunch of up and coming three-year-olds, that doesn’t mean much. Like all of Seoul’s entrants, Heukgisa is a solid and honest campaigner who looks to have just a little too much to find to beat the Busan raiders. LAst start he was 5th in the Sports Chosun behind Sotong Sidae, Haemaru and Pinot Noir. He won by leading from gate to wire over this distance in April and may look to lead.

Summary: Again it looks like Busan’s race with all the main contenders having travelled up from the South coast. This is an opportunity for Rock Band – who is expected to be Tokyo Daishoten bound instead of Grand Prix bound if he comes through this – to show how good he really is. As usual, pace will make this race; if some Seoul horses with little to lose decide to go for it early, things could get very interesting but overall, it will be expected to look like the following:

Selections: (4) Rock Band (3) Triple Nine (9) Ildeung Hanghaesa (1) Yeongcheon Ace

Three Korean-trained horses are in Japan in preparation for the 3rd Interaction Cup, which will be held at Ohi Racecourse in Tokyo on Tuesday October 13.

Two years ago, the late Watts Village delivered a glorious, not to mention totally unexpected, victory for Korea in the inaugural event. In 2014, a weak Korean entry flatly succumbed to a much stronger Japanese challenge. This year, there is a little more optimism in the air with the Korean visitors hopeful that the three challengers can this time at least give the home team a run for their money.

Cheon Gu, who seemed to enjoy his trip to Singapore in July and then finished 3rd in the Asia Challenge Cup on his return home heads the challenge of the visitors who spent six days at a quarantine facility in Nasu before moving to Ohi Racecourse on the Thursday prior to the race.

The race will be held under the lights next Tuesday evening and will be run over 1200M.

Cheon Gu (USA) [Old Fashioned – So Much Fun (Speightstown)] 3yo Colt (8/4/1/2)
Fast becoming the go-to horse for the international races with his sporting connections taking every opportunity to do something different this year. He led out of the gate in the KRA Trophy in Singapore only to tire in the home straight and then tried something similar in the Asia Challenge Cup at Seoul in August. That day only Choegang Schiller and El Padrino made it past him.

Cowboy Son (USA) [Cowboy Cal – Nosmallacheivement (Smart Strike)] 4yo colt (19/10/2/2)
As a 2-year-old in 2013 he won his first six races but the nature of Korean racing has meant that since becoming a class 1 horse, he has had very few opportunities to race at his preferred sprint distances. This race should therefore be ideal for him and he could be very interesting.

Dynamic Jilju (USA) [Forestry – Beat Your Feet (Dixieland Band)] 4yo colt(27/6/3/4)
He hasn’t run at 1200M since he was a 2-year-old (he won) but there is no reason why he won’t appreciate the opportunity for a sprint. He comes in following a class 1 victory over a mile in August and while he has never been a superstar, he is a solid campaigner.

We’ll have a full preview of the race once the final declarations are made over the weekend.

Watts Village, who became the first Korea-trained horse to win a race overseas, died late last month.

The 5-year-old passed away of a neurological disease just days before the Asia Challenge Cup, a race in which he had been expected to run.

Watts Village [Forestry – Edey’s Village (Silver Deputy)] was a $20,000 purchase from the 2012 Ocala Spring sale of two-year-olds in training and arrived in Korea in June of that year.

He debuted in August of that year with a victory and would also win his next three starts, including the TJK Trophy in November. He wouldn’t win again until July 2013 and then went on to finish 2nd behind Tosen Archer in the Korea-Japan Goodwill Trophy in September.

He then won a quick race over six-furlongs in October which encouraged connections to take their chance in the Interaction Cup at Ohi Racecourse in Tokyo on November 26. While most Korean hopes were pinned on Fly Top Queen, the most expensive horse ever imported to the country and at that time, still unbeaten, a Korean win seemed unlikely.

However, under jockey Seo Seung Un, Watts Village was gunned out of the gate and into an early lead. He would not give it up. Although the field came back to him, he just managed to hold on, sparking raucous celebrations among the visiting Korean contingent and securing his place in Korean racing folklore.

There was a feeling among some close to the horse that his exertions in Japan had taken a lot out of him and despite having been invited to race in Dubai the following spring, connections declined and kept him at home. Indeed, he only raced five times in 2014, with a solitary victory.

Given another lengthy spell, he came back for a tilt at this year’s Asia Challenge Cup, which would be run over his favoured six furlongs. After an encouraging 2nd place on his re-appearance after six months off, he easily won the Munhwa Ilbo Cup in July, Seoul’s official trial for the Challenge Cup. Sadly that turned out to be his final race.

Watts Village ran a total of 19 times with 8 wins, 5 seconds and 2 thirds.

With just a couple of weekends to go before the short Chuseok break, the fields are big and its juveniles who take centre-stage in feature races at Seoul and Busan on Sunday.

The two 1200M races are part of a beefed up program of races exclusive to two-year-olds in the build-up to the “Breeders’ Cup” at the end of November and are for those horses bought at this year’s domestic sales. Seoul’s race sees a debut for Golden Vascar, the first Korean based horse to be owned by Katsumi Yoshida.

Full racecards in English are available here

Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Friday September 11
Busan Racecourse: 11 races from 12:50 to 19:00
Jeju Racecourse: 9 races from 13:15 to 17:25

Saturday September 12
Seoul Racecourse: 12 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Jeju Racecourse: 9 races from 12:20 to 17:30

Sunday September 13
Seoul Racecourse: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Busan Racecourse: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:00

Aside from the Asia Challenge Cup, there was other big Stakes action at Seoul Racecourse this past weekend. And it was 6/1 chance Chief Red Can who took the honours in the Korean Group 2 KRA Cup Classic.

Clean Up Cheonha was sent off slight favourite for the 2000M race, just ahead of Cinderella Man, the latter making his first appearance at Seoul since transferring from Busan.

It would be outsider Vincero K, along with Cinderella Man who set the early pace while Chief Red Can, under jockey Park Eul Woon, went to the back. Both early pacesetters would fade badly though and having made progress in the back straight, Chief Red Can dominated the sprint to win by three lengths from Clean Up Cheonha with the slightly inaccurately-named Unbeatable back in 3rd.

Chief Red Can, a 5-year-old US bred gelding, moves on to 6 wins from 16 lifetime starts, while for jockey Park Eul Woon it was by far the biggest win of his 19-year career.

KRA Cup Classic (KOR G2) – Seoul Racecourse – 2000M – August 30, 2015

1. Chief Red Can (USA) [Fantasticat – Deputy Lady (French Deputy)] – Park Eul Woon – 6.5, 2.0
2. Clean Up Cheonha (USA) [El Corredor – Loh Colladoo (More Than Ready)] – Ham Wan Sik – 1.4
3. Unbeatable (USA) [Eddington – Baxter Hall (Rahy)] – Park Tae Jong – 4.1
Distances: 3 lengths / 3 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Daehan Janggun (USA) 5. Bichui Jeongsang (USA) 6. Cheonjeok (USA) 7. Areumdaun Donghaeng (USA) 8. Tough Win (USA) 9. Cinderella Man (KOR) 10. Vincero K (USA)

This coming weekend, the focus moves to Busan and the Owners’ Cup. Korean Derby winner Yeongcheon Ace and Minister’s Cup winner Rock Band will take on top 4-year-olds Gumpo Sky and Success Story over a mile. The three others in the small field of seven; Triple Nine, Ildeung Hanghaesa and Doraon Hyeonpyo are no mugs either.

There’s a big Stakes Race Sunday in prospect in Korea. However, both the Sports Chosun Cup at Seoul and Busan Ilbo Cup at Busan, which will both be run over 2000M, are set to feature strong favourites.

Not that there’s anything especially wrong with that although field size for both is disappointing to put it mildly. At Busan, just six will line up for the Busan Ilbo Cup and the aforementioned favourite will be Gumpo Sky. The four-year-old hasn’t had much luck in Stakes company so far, coming very close on two occasions last year, including the final leg of the Triple Crown. Most recently he ran 6th in the Busan Mayor’s Cup over a mile.

He should have too much for his five rivals tomorrow though. If he is to be beaten, Ildeung Hanghaesa or Goliath Marine look like the ones who can do it. Yeonseung Daero and Gyeongbudaero are two previous winners of the race meaning that the winner has big hooves to fill.

A couple of hours earlier at Seoul, eight will have gone to post for the Sports Chosun Cup. Favourite to come back in front will be Brig, a five-year-old who was 4th in the Korean Derby in 2013, and has gone on to become one of the most consistent performers in the capital and who was an 11-length class 1 winner over 1800M on his most recent start.

Brig has never won over 2000M before – this is only his 2nd start at the distance – and if that continues, then Haemaru or Busan exile Magic Dancer are perhaps best placed to take advantage.

Click here for full English language race cards at the KRA’s website

Here’s what’s happening when and where:

Sunday August 16
Seoul Racecourse: 10 races from 13:00 to 17:45
Busan Racecourse: 6 races from 16:20 to 20:00