Busan Race Park: 7 races from 12:30 to 17:10
Lion Santa (Lion Hear-Santa Fe Strip), unbeaten in all of his 8 starts to date goes in the first of two co-feature races. Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30
Saturday October 22
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:10 to 17:30 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:30
Sunday October 23
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:10 including the Gyeongi Governor’s Cup at 16:40
A full field of fillies and mares line up for the Governor’s Cup including Sen Girl, Urikkot and Mustang Queen. Busan Race Park: 7 races from 12:30 to 17:10 including the MJC Trophy at 16:10
The Macau Jockey Club Trophy is for three-year olds and bring together late developers both Korean and foreign bred.
Baekgwang, Korea’s Favourite Horse, Retired After Leg-Break
This time, it was obvious the story was over. At the end of the KRA Cup Classic, jockey Lee Joon Chel pulled him up and immediately dismounted and walked him into the unsaddling enclosure. The horse was limping badly. Lee, having ridden him for the first time, gave him a pat and handed him over to his groom. The vet gestured that there was no need for him to be trotted up to explain his performance. Baekgwang’s career was over.
Baekgwang (KRA)
When lists of the greatest racehorses are compiled, Baekgwang [The Groom Is Red-Grey Crest (Gold Crest)] likely won’t be on them. Not even in Korea. But there is something about a closer – a horse who can run from the back of the field to the front in the closing stages of a race to score a last gasp victory – that makes the heart beat faster. And when that horse is small in stature, a striking grey colour and when he has overcome injury to be around for the best part of six years, it is something that shines a light on the drama of a sport whose beauty is so often masked behind a game of numbers. Ask a Korean racing fan to name their favourite horse and it is likely to be Baekgwang.
Of course, while not being the greatest, Baekgwang was still a very fine racehorse. After failing to win any of his three starts as a two-year old, he finished third in the 2006 Korean Derby but went on to win the final three-year old Classic of the year, The Minister’s Cup, after picking up back-to-back Stakes wins in the Munhwa and Donga-Ilbo Cups earlier in the summer.
He continued this form into his four-year old season, winning three consecutive races before the end of April. However, it was then that injury struck for the first time in the shape of a ligament injury and he ran only once more that year. In the meantime, his younger half-sister Baekpa (Revere) has become a star in her own right, winning the 2007 Korean Oaks. A grey herself, although less striking than Baekgwang, her big brother was brought out of his recovery to pose for pictures with her after her Oaks triumph. Eventually, after treatment and a lengthy spell of recuperation in the Korean countryside, Baekgwang himself returned to Seoul Racecourse and made his comeback in the Ttukseom Cup in April 2008.
He was sent off as second favourite and, putting in his customary late run, looked to have a chance in the final furlong. However, in the final strides he was just headed by the even faster finishing Namchonuijijon (Concept Win) who, were it not for being unfortunate to have been born in the same year as the great J.S. Hold, may have become a Classic winner himself. After the race though came devastating news.
Ligaments in his knee were damaged. The stewards at Seoul instantly handed him a one-year ban under rules designed to protect injured horses. This was never likely to be a problem with Baekgwang as his career seemed over. Nevertheless, owner Lee Soo Hong decided to try something that as yet hadn’t been tried in Korean racing before. Baekgwang underwent Stem-cell treatment to repair his damaged knee with cells from his back. It would be a long lay-off. During his time out, little sister Baekpa would go on to defeat the seemingly invincible Myeongmungamun in the SBS Cup of 2008. It would be in this race a year later in July 2009 that, remarkably, Baekgwang would return once again.
Baekgwang heads to post for the final time
He ran fourth but it was a display full of promise. A month later he finished second in a handicap. Then in September, he finally made it back where he belonged; in the winner’s circle having run down a class 1 field in the home stretch to record a narrow victory. Next up was the President’s Cup and, true to form, he pushed eventual winner Nice Choice all the way, despite giving him four kilos, to finish in a brave second. He closed out 2009 on a high, skipping his way through a blizzard two days after Christmas, once more mowing down the field in the home straight.
However, 2010 would see just one appearance, a second place in February before injury took hold again. Although he race-trialed sporadically it wasn’t until August this year that he finally made it to a race, finishing fifth behind Ace Galloper. Of course, it would be behind that horse, currently Seoul’s highest rated Korean born, that he would make his final appearance. For the first and only time in his 25 races, he would not take home any prize money yet, even with his leg broken, he was only just beaten out of the fifth and final moneying place by Dongbanui Gangja, the double Grand Prix winner. He never, ever gave up.
Baekgwang’s leg was broken but happily, it was not fatal. He will return to Jeju Island, this time permanently, as perhaps it should have been last time. He will be registered as a stallion and will live out his retirement in peace. His career outlasted that of almost all his rivals such as Nice Choice and Namchonuijijon and sister Baekpa who was retired last year – Baekpa is at the same farm as the pair’s mother, Grey Crest.
Some have lamented that Baekgwang – “Korea’s Seabiscuit” as he was described by the Korean Racing Journal last weekend – will not be given a retirement ceremony. It’s not necessary. Racing fans have enough memories of Baekgwang doing what he did best – be it in that Ttukseom Cup or dancing through the snow at Christmas or on all the other occasions he produced that thrilling stretch run. Baekgwang means “White Light” and he was a horse who with a turn of his head in the paddock was acknowledged by even the most hard-bitten punter as something special. We were lucky to have him.
Baekgwang (KOR) [The Groom Is Red-Grey Crest (Gold Crest)] Foaled: March 19, 2003 Debut: September 24, 2005 Retired: October 9, 2011 25 races, 11 wins, 8 seconds, 2 thirds Career Earnings: 817,614,000 Korean Won
A filly and a colt were sent of as favourites in Seoul and Busan’s first Stakes race for this year’s two-year old crop. And a filly and a colt won. However, while the colt in question did the business at Busan on Sunday afternoon, a day earlier in the capital it was a different filly taking the acclaim.
Cheoneun (Forest Camp) had strolled through her three previous starts and came into the Gwacheon City Mayor’s Cup the red-hot favourite. And in a torrential downpour, it looked as though she was going to live up to that billing as, under Park Tae Jong, she bounced straight out of the gate and into what seemed both a comfortable and commanding lead.
Having won at seven furlongs before, there was no reason to think that Cheoneun would tire over just six. However, on the sloppy track, that’s exactly what happened and the beneficiary was Dolpung Jilju (Didyme) who slowly wore down the favourite before passing her in the final furlong to record victory by half a length. Dolpung Jilju, another filly, was winning for the third time on her fourth start. Four lengths adrift of Cheoneun was the first colt home in the shape of Jigeum I Sungan (Ingrandire).
There were no such problems down at Busan today for Gyeongbudaero (Menifee). Happy to let others set the pace, the Choi Si Dae set Gyeongbudaero loose in the home straight and he made short order of the field to win by a length and a half going away. Nathan Stanley grabbed second place on Peter Wolsley’s filly Nuriui Bit while another filly, Sing A (Fortitude) was third.
Gyeongbudaero translates as “Road from Busan to Seoul” – it is likely that the colt will be travelling up that very road at the end of next month for the Breeders’ Cup where he’ll meet Seoul’s fillies to decide just who is Champion Juvenile of 2011.
Gwacheon City Mayor’s Cup – Seoul Race Park – 1200M October 15, 2011
1. Dolpung Jilju (KOR) [Didyme – Alder Gulch (Gulch)] – Cho Kyoung Ho – 8.2, 1.9 2. Cheoneun (KOR) [Forest Camp – Naha (Silver Buck)] – Park Tae Jong – 1.1 3. Jigeum I Sungan (KOR) [Ingrandire – Solmaru (Mujaazif)] – Kim Dong Chul – 1.6
Distances: 0.5 lengths/4 lengths Also Ran: 4. Viva Cat 5. Spin Up 6. Ft. Silver 7. Rocket Sox 8. Ubin Teukgeup NR. Mighty Hong Kong
Gyeongnam Sinmun Cup – Busan Race Park – 1200M – October 16, 2011
1. Gyeongbudaero (KOR) [Menifee – Princess Labique (Cherokee Run)] – Choi Si Dae – 1.3, 1.0 2. Nuriui Bit (KOR) [Menifee – Altria (Maria’s Mon)] – Nathan Stanley – 2.1 3. Sing A (KOR) [Fortitude – Seollimwon (Wheaton)] – Kim Dong Young – 4.7
Distances: 1.75 lengths/0.5 lengths Also Ran: 4. Over Power 5. Good Time 6. Predict 7. Uddukseon 8. Baekho Janggun 9. Super Grand 10. Daejiui Gamdong NR. Innofast
* Also at Busan this afternoon Mister Park (Ecton Park) continued his record-breaking streak. With Japanese jockey Akane Yamamoto on board for the first time, the four-year old extended his winning streak to a remarkable seventeen races. In this latest victory, Mister Park crushed a small field of foreign bred horses by five lengths without working up much of a sweat.
Mister Park is not a horse that has been given the respect one might expect for a Grand Prix winner and a horse who has won more consecutive races than any other in Korean history. Being stabled at Busan contributes to this (not the fault of Busan – it’s better than Seoul but it doesn’t get the same exposure) and also a perception that he has been kept away from the toughest challenges (or campaigned sensibly, if you like).
It’s unfair, but it’s a fact. What’s also a fact is that we are only two months away from the Mister Park’s defence f the Grand Prix. If he comes to Seoul – as he surely will – and if he successfully defends his title, no-one will be disrespecting Mister Park.
Racing is about to get underway on what is a wet Friday on the Korean peninsula. This week sees the first Stakes action of the year for two-year olds in the shape of the Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup at Seoul on Saturday and the Gyeongnam Sinmun Cup at Busan on Sunday. In a slight change to the usual preview format (i.e. run out of time to do the usual handicap) here’s a brief run down on what’s going on at each meeting this weekend:
Magic Party won last year's Gwacheon Mayor's Cup
Friday October 14
Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00
Normal Friday afternoon card. The feature is the last where former Derby winner Ebony Storm carries top weight. Joe Murphy’s Deep Desire is coming in off the back of a win and remains very well handicapped.
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30
Nine pony races on the island with three simulcasted to Busan and Seoul.
Saturday October 15
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:10 to 17:40 including the Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup at 16:30
Five colts and four fillies make up the field for Seoul’s first two-year old championship Stakes race of the year. Filly Cheoneun (Forest Camp) has been the most impressive so far although Viva Cat (Creek Cat) is also yet to lose and Dolpung Jilju (Didyme) is two for three against tougher competition. An intriguing race.
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:20
Two massive Stakes races for the ponies on Jeju – The Jeju Governor’s Classic and the Jeju Governor’s Open. Unfortunately, neither of those will be simulcasted to Seoul but it is one of the Island’s biggest race days of the year.
Sunday October 16
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:10
Last year’s Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup winner Magic Party has gone on to become a useful three-year old and she runs in the feature handicap alongside fellow fillies Dongbang Rose and last year’s Oaks winner Euro Fighter.
Busan Race Park: 7 races from 12:30 to 17:10 including the Gyeongnam Sinmun Cup at 16:15.
The Gyeongnam Sinmun brings together six fillies and two colts for Busan’s two-year old Championship. Nathan Stanley returns from illness to partner Peter Wolsley’s Nuriui Bit (Menifee) who has won her only start to date. However, in a field of unknown quantities, anything can happen. In the last race of the day, Mister Park (Ecton Park) will be looking to extend his record-breaking winning streak to 17. Japanese jockey Akane Yamamoto will have the honour.
Ace Galloper strode to a three-length win in the KRA Cup Classic at Seol Race Park this afternoon and in doing so gave himself a favourite’s chance in the season-ending Grand Prix Stakes.
Ace Galloper and Park Tae Jong win the KRA Cup Classic
With Park Tae Jong on board, Ace Galloper took control in the home straight and strectehd away to win comfortably from Sing Sing Cat and Jumong. Double Grand Prix winner Dongbanui Gangja was fifth while Baekgwang returned injured in sixth.
KRA Cup Classic (KOR.G.III) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – October 9, 2011
1. Ace Galloper (KOR) [Chapel Royal-Explicitly (Exploit)] – Park Tae Jong – 3.6, 1.5 2. Sing Sing Cat (USA) [D’Wildcat-Freddy Fenter (Fenter)] – Oh Kyoung Hoan – 3.1 3. Jumong (USA) [Johar-Foreign Aid (Danzig)] – Jo In Kwen – 1.6
On Saturday it’s the Selangor Turf Club Trophy at Seoul. Two Malaysian jockeys, Ming Wan Teh and Ismail Fadzlei will be in town to ride in the race. Down at Busan there’s also a bonus as Sunday sees seven races instead of the usual six. Here’s what’s happening when and where – the weather is set to be beautiful. Come Racing!
Friday October 7
Busan Race Park: 10 races from 12:00 to 18:00 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 13:30 to 17:30
Saturday October 8
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 11:10 to 17:40 including the Selangor Turf Club Trophy at 16:30 Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:20
Sunday October 9
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 111:10 to 18:05 including the KRA Cup Classic at 16:35 Busan Race Park: 7 races from 12:30 to 17:05
Last Year’s Winner Misses Out But A Double Champion, A Legend, A Nearly-Horse and Upstarts Clash in Grand Prix Trial
We had the final leg of the Triple Crown last week but the autumn Stakes action is coming thick and fast at Seoul Race Park. This weekend it’s the KRA Cup Classic, a major pointer towards the season ending Grand Prix Stakes which is now just over two months away.
One To Beat: Ace Galloper
Although last year’s winner Tough Win is a late withdrawal, there is still plenty to keep interest alive among punters and fans alike in this ten furlong handicap. Two Korean born horses, Ace Galloper and Baekgwang, take on nine imports including the double Grand Prix Champion Dongbanui Gangja.
Ace Galloper is currently the top ranked domestic bred horse at Seoul and is the one they all have to beat here while the great grey Baekgwang is one of the best-loved.
Jumong
Dongbanui Gangja heads the weights but has only won once since kicking his habit of running wide in the home straight that almost saw him retired a year ago. Jumong, the half-brother of another great name from Korean racing history, Subsidy, is both in form and has a weight advantage as does the returning Bulpae Gisang. Then there are the three-year old unknowns. Could one of them pull off an upset? We’ll find out on Sunday afternoon.
Here’s a full run down of the field (Name [Pedigree] Age, Sex, Weight (Races/1/2/3) – Jockey):
KRA Cup Classic – Seoul Race Park – 2000M October 8, 2011, 16:35
1. Bulpae Gisang (USA) [Lightnin N Thunder-Neat Trick (Clever Trick)] 5 H 57Kg (21/10/4/1) – Won Jung Il
Spent nearly a year on the sidelines but showed a glimpse of the form that took him to victory in the Busan Metropolitan and second place in the Grand Prix as a three-year old in 2009 when winning his last outing in August. Reasonably well handicapped, he could challenge the placings.
2. Ace Galloper (KOR) [Chapel Royal-Explicitly (Exploit)] 4 C 60Kg (20/14/3/1) – Park Tae Jong
Regular jockey Cho Kyoung Ho was engaged to ride Tough Win and even though last year’s winner now won’t run, Park Tae Jong keeps the mount. Park has won on him before and Ace Galloper comes into the race on a run of four straight wins. The weight shouldn’t be a problem but this is the first time he’s faced foreign bred opposition. If he’s on top form, he has a very good chance.
3. Celebrate Tonight (USA) [Songandaprayer-My Place Tonight (Out Of Place)] (USA) 3 C 54Kg (9/4/2/1) – Moon Se Young
Beaten by Sing Sing Cat in his class 1 debut last time out, it’s tough to make a case for him here. However, he has a significant weight advantage over the more established older horses.
4. Dongbanui Gangja (USA) [Broken Vow-Maremaid (Storm Bird)] 6 H 61Kg (31/18/6/2) – Choi Bum Hyun
With his unruly five-year old season behind, we’ve seen something of the old Dongbanui Gangja of late and, given a different ride may have won the Busan Metropolitan back in July. The double Grand Prix winner is to be respected but at top weight, he’s going to have his work cut out.
5. Baekgwang (KOR) [The Groom Is Red-Grey Crest (Gold Crest)] 8 H 56Kg (24/11/8/3) – Lee Joon Chel
One of the most popular horses in recent Korean racing history, the grey Baekgwang has on three occasions taken a year out through injury. He’s always come back though and in his 24 races spread over the past 6 years he has, remarkably, never finished out of the money. Like Ace Galloper, he too is facing foreign horses for the first time and this could be his toughest test.
6. Sing Sing Cat (USA) [D’Wildcat-Freddy Fenter (Fenter)] 3 C 55Kg (11/5/2/0) – Oh Kyoung Hoan
Getting better he’s one four of his last five. Still relatively unexposed, he has a big weight advantage over a number of his rivals and could spring a surprise.
7. Captain Cugat (AUS) [King Cugat-Shiva Angel (Marauding)] 7 G 52Kg (33/5/5/0) – Kim Ok Sung
The old Aussie stager who found his way here via New Zealand doesn’t win much and there’s no reason why he should here. A second place behind hotshot filly Kkakjaengi over this distance two starts ago sees him take his chance here but even with a light weight and a decent jockey, he’ll struggle to trouble the placings.
8. Florida Sox (USA) [Woke Up Dreamin-Chordette (Dixieland Band)] 4 F 52Kg (9/4/0/2) – Boo Min Ho
A Stakes winner at age 3, this filly – the only one in he field – needs a lot of time off between races. Her last start ended in a disappointing 13th in the Owners’ Trophy but that was so long ago, it means little. Reunited with jockey Boo Min Ho with whom she’s enjoyed most success.
9. Jumong (USA) [Johar-Foreign Aid (Danzig)] 4 C 57Kg (23/8/4/3) – Jo In Kwen
Along with Ace Galloper the most in-form horse in the race. Was beaten by Dongbanui Gangja in June but he was giving a lot of weight that day. The roles are reversed here and the finishing order may be too.
10. Ppoppai (USA) [Rockport Harbor-Fair And Lively (Lively One)] 3 C 53Kg (10/5/0/2) – Ham Wan Sik
His first start at class 1 comes in a very tough race. Like the other three-year olds, he has the weight in his favour but will be an outsider.
11. Cheonjidolpung (USA) [Tactical Cat-Luminate (A.P.Indy)] 6 G 52Kg (30/5/0/4) – Mai Beppu
Finished a very creditable 4th in the Busan Metropolitan but well beaten by Sing Sing Cat and Celebrate Tonight last time.
Lee Shin Young & Kim Hae Sun Score Historic Double
Last week we talked about Australian trainer Peter Wolsley and jockey Nathan Stanley who are currently the in-form partnership at Busan. Up at Seoul there is another pair who are less than conventional in Korean terms making headlines. On September 24, trainer Lee Shin Young and Kim Hae Sun became the first female trainer/jockey combination to win two races on the same card.
Winning on the track: Kim Hae Sun
Lee Shin Young was only the third Korean woman to qualify as a jockey and in the July this year became the first ever female trainer. She’s had a remarkable start to her career in the barn. Out of 23 runners from her fourteen-strong string, she’s recorded 6 wins already.
Winning in the barn: Lee Shin Young (Picture: KRA)
She still holds the record for most thoroughbred wins by a female jockey in Korea at 90, however, her record seems almost certain to be eclipsed by the young Kim Hae Sun. Kim qualified in 2009 and has made the most of the opportunities afforded to her to rack up 37 winners already – 28 of them coming in the last year and 4 in the past two weeks.
It’s a record that is better than the two other jockeys in her graduating class, Park Sang Woo and Lee Gi Woong.
On that Saturday a week and a half ago, Lee and Kim combined with debut making US two-year old Belong To John (Belong To Me) at odds of 23/1 and then in the final race of the day on 8/1 Blue Charming (On Fire). Certainly punters will be closely examining any such generous odds on the pair in future.
Dongseo Jeongbeol stunned the big guns to storm to claim victory in the Minister’s Cup, the final leg of the 2011 Korean Triple Crown, at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.
Dongseo Jeongbeol beats Useung Touch to win the Minister's Cup
In a race which brought together the winners of all three previous races in the Triple Crown series – Soseuldaemun, Gwangyajeil and Useung Touch – Dongseo Jeongbeol was sent off as a 16/1 outsider, despite having won six of his ten prior starts.
Things seemed to be going to form to begin with as Oaks winner Useung Touch (Menifee) set the early pace with Derby winner Gwangyajeil (Vicar) following closely behind. Midway through the back straight, the horse who was actually sent off the slight favourite, Champion Belt (Exploit) – the most expensive horse of this generation when sold as a two-year old, hit the front. All the while, Dongseo Jeongbeol (Vicar) and jockey Chae Gyu Jun were simply siting in the middle of the pack.
As the field entered the home straight, battle commenced. However, Gwangyajeil was quickly out of it as Useung Touch seemed set to go on to claim the win. Then came Dongseo Jeongbeol on the outside. Third with a furlong to go, he was travelling much quicker than Useung Touch and he swept past the filly fifty metres from the line. Another fast finishing outsider Geuma Champ grabbed third.
Not right: Derby winner Gwangyajeil
As for Gwangyajeil, he went backwards in the home straight eventually finishing thirteenth. Indeed, the only horse he beat home was KRA Cup Mile winner Soseuldaemun – that first Classic victory looking more and more a flash in the pan although he did return lame. Gwangyajeil returned looking angry and didn’t want to trot for the vet. However, he didn’t seem injured.
For Dongseo Jeongbeol it was, as mentioned earlier, he moves onto seven wins from eleven starts and a potential invite back to Seoul next month for the President’s Cup. His win means that horses from Busan claimed the Cup Mile, the Oaks and the Minister’s Cup with Gwangyajeil’s Derby win the only success for Seoul.
Dongseo Jeongbeol and Chae Gyu Jun in the Minister's Cup Winner's Circle
Dongseo Jeongbeol is the second classic winner this year by Vicar – in the sire’s first year of three-year olds hitting the track. Useung Touch continued Menifee’s strong performance in what is also his first season of classic runners.
The Minister of FAFF Cup (G2) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – October 2, 2011
So, four classics and four different winners. A very competitive crop or just a poor one? We’ll know for sure when they start taking on the best older horses. That begins in the President’s Cup next month.
* Next week big Stakes action returns to Seoul in the form n the KRA Cup Classic. Tough Win, Dongbanui Gangja, Ace Galloper and even Baekgwang are all set to be there. Full preview coming soon!
Second favourite Imperial Girl cruised to a comprehensive win in the first ever Singapore Turf Club (STC) Trophy at Seoul Race Park this afternoon.
Imperial Girl and Choi Bum Hyun Win the Singapore Turf Club Trophy
The seven furlong Cup race for fillies & mares attracted a competitive field of thirteen and it was the favourite Kkochyeoul who set the early pace with well-fancied Blueband Mama and Imperial Girl closely following her. They remained in this order until, with a furlong to go, Choi Bum Hyun asked Imperial Girl to accelerate and the three-year old motored away from her rivals to record a four length win from the fast finishing Hwansanguimulgyeol who swept home unnoticed on the stands-side.
The win was only the third for Imperial Girl whose previous career highlight was an impressive third place in the Owners’ Association Trophy back in June. For jockey Choi Bum Hyun – sporting a haircut that can charitably be described as interesting – it was a first big race win for over a year. The Chairman of the Singapore Turf Club was on hand for the presentation.
Singapore Turf Club Trophy – Seoul Race Park – 1400M – October 1, 2011
1. Imperial Girl (USA) [Imperialism-Wallena (Wallenda)] – Choi Bum Hyun – 3.2, 1.5 2. Hwansanguimulgyeol (KOR) [Happy Jazz Band-Koran (Alquoz)] – Kim Dong Chul – 3.4 3. Kkochyeoul (USA) [Essence Of Dubai-A Star Has Risen (Rock Band)] – Jung Pyeong Soo – 1.3
Distances: 4 lengths/1 length Also Ran: 4. Alpha Lady (AUS) 5. Worincheongang (USA) 6. Uigiyangyang (USA) 7. Arisae (KOR) 8. Saeroungamun (KOR) 9. Burning Sky (JPN) 10. Pilseung Korea (JPN) 11. Blueband Mama (USA) 12. Sky Center (USA) 13. Manjeomhwanhui (KOR)
* On Sunday it’s the big one. The Minister’s Cup brings the 2011 Korean Triple Crown Series to a close. The winners of all three legs so far will be present – Soseuldaemun (KRA Cup Mile), Gwangyajeil (Korean Derby) and Useung Touch (Korean Oaks) – for the showdown at Seoul Race Park. Useung Touch is set to be the slight favourite but she’ll face strong competition not only from Gwangyajeil but also from the likes of improvers such as Champion Belt and Singgeureounachim. It’s set to be a great race – click here for the full preview.
Sunday October 2
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 11:10 to 18:05 including the Minister’s Cup at 16:35. Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:30 to 17:05
Imperiousness: Imperial Girl was tough to handle in the Winner's Circle
Horse Racing in Korea 