Money Car Wins The KRA Cup Mile

Newsprint Colt on-course for Triple Crown / Tough Win Beats Bulpae Gisang

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”.

Florida Sox Limps Out

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.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

Weekend Preview

KRA Cup Mile / Tough Win vs Bulpae Gisang / Florida Sox

A massive weekend of racing on the peninsula is headed-up by the first jewel in the 2010 Korean Triple Crown, the KRA Cup Mile at Busan Race Park this Sunday (see full preview below). However, that is just the highlight of an exciting three days of racing.

Florida Sox in the Segye Ilbo Winner's Circle

On Saturday at Seoul, three-year old filly Florida Sox, the impressive winner of the Segye Ilbo Stakes in February, returns to the track when she’ll take on mainly males over 1800 metres – two furlongs further than she’s been before. Whether she can manage two turns will be the decisive factor against beatable opposition.

One horse who took a while to adjust to two turns was Seonbongbulpae, but last year’s champion two-year old was a winner last time out and is back in action on Sunday. Once the KRA Cup Mile is out-of-the-way, Seoul has its own intriguing Sunday feature race. Busan Metropolitan winner Bulpae Gisang, rated second only to Dongbanui Gangja in Korea, will go up against Tough Win, the unbeaten three-year old. The younger horse has been able to cruise to victory in all his outings to date. Now we get a chance to find out how good he really is.

Friday April 2

Busan Race Park: 10 races, first post 12:00, last 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races, first post 13:30, last 17:30

Saturday April 3

Seoul Race Park: 12 races, first post 11:20, last 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:20

Sunday April 4

Seoul Race Park: 11 races, first post 11:20, last 18:10
Busan Race Park: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:35

Triple Crown 2010: Full Field For KRA Cup Mile

It’s Seoul vs Busan and the first leg of the 2010 Korean Triple Crown as fourteen of the peninsula’s most talented colts line up for the KRA Cup Mile – “The Korean Guineas” – at Busan Race Park this coming Sunday.

Here’s a full run-down of the runners and riders:

KRA Cup Mile (KOR.G.II) – Busan Race Park – 1600M – Apr 4, 2010, 15:45

1. Money Car [Newsprint – Pinocchio (Big Sur)] (6/5/1/0) – Park Tae Jong
Heading the Northern raiders, Money Car has looked untouchable at every distance since an inauspicious debut. Will he take to Busan’s brutally difficult track? If he does, he’ll be hard to beat.
2. Baekjeom Manjeom [Fiercely – Mia Victoria (Flying Victor)] (5/3/1/0) – Jo Chang Wook
Didn’t impress in good company over a mile last time but knows how to win.
3. Dangdae Bulpae [Biwa Shinseiki – Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] (5/4/0/0/) – Martin Wepner
Wepner already has a Korean Classic to his name and could get another. Dangdae Bulpae was an impressive winner over a mile last time out.
4. Mega Tough [Concept Win – Keu Roo (March Magic)] (5/1/2/2) – Lim Sung Sil
One of two entrants for Australian trainer Peter Wolsley. Mega Tough only broke his maiden last time out – that was at nine furlongs, having been third in his only run over a mile.
5. The Almighty [Capital Spending – Dauntless Cat (Mountain Cat)] (4/2/1/0) – Shin Hyoung Chul
Has never gone more than six and a half furlongs and is completely unproven in this company. Nevertheless,with two wins and a second from three races, he knows where he is supposed to be at the end of the race.
6. Daewan [The Groom Is Red – Greatgrama (Border Guard)] (8/2/2/0) – Kim Hong Il
Will he run? All of trainer Kim Young Kwan’s horses have been scratched the past two weeks. If he does run, he’ll have his work cut out to win for the trainer who scooped all three of last year’s Triple Crown races.
7. Almighty Hit [Concept Win – Dixie Snow (Dixie Brass)] (7/2/3/0) – Park Geum Man
Second behind Dangdae Bulpae last time out, one of three second places. He’s worth a bet to place again.
8. Forest Wind [Capital Spending – Coffee Royale (Sword Dance)] (3/2/0/0) – Ham Wan Sik
A smart winner on both his last two outings but like stablemate The Almighty, has done little to suggest he’ll be competing for top honours here. Place at most.
9. Saeroun Taeyang [Volponi – Glorious Thunder (Thunder Gulch)] (7/3/1/0) – Hitomi Miyashita
Made it up to class 2 racing early and has competed over a mile twice before, fourth being his best finish. The second of Peter Wolsley’s two runners, an overseas trainer and jockey connection would not be welcomed on the backstretch but would be welcomed elsewhere.
10. Glory Yeonggwang [Didyme – Lady Sandido (Sandrigo)] (7/2/1/2) – Jo Chan Hoon
Plenty of experience including a second place finish over a mile. Was runner-up to Almighty Hit last time out.
11. Cheonnyeon Daero [Creek Cat – Doneitmyway (Northern Flagship)] (8/2/5/1) – Jo Sung Gon
Never worse than third in eight races and is a winner at class 2 over the distance. Purely on caliber of horses he’s beaten, he’s worth supporting – however, six out of eight times, something has gotton the better of him.
12. Triple Sinhwa [Capital Spending – Claudia’s Secret (Crafty Prospector)] (4/1/3/0) – Chae Gyu Jun
A late entry, Triple Sinhwa was a surprise winner at his first attempt at a class 3 race two weeks ago. That was at two furlongs less than he’ll be running on Sunday though.
13. Silver Mon [Distilled – Silver Fizz (Cee’s Tizzy)] (6/2/1/1) – Boo Min Ho
Seoul’s final challenger is the grey Silver Mon. Disappointing in the Herald Business last season but a surprise third place over eight and a half furlongs on his season debut may have persuaded connections to think he is going to excel at the mile.
14. Udeumji [Yehudi – Lady Dignity (Nordico)] (7/1/0/2) – Kim Yong Geun
Has been in indifferent form of late and there’s no real reason why that should change on Sunday. An outsider.

Kim Tae Hee Set To Star in New Racing Movie

A new movie with horse-racing as its backdrop is about to go into production. “Grand Prix” will star Kim Tae Hee and Lee Jun Ki with both playing the roles of jockeys.

One of Korea’s most popular (for various reasons) actresses, Kim Tae Hee is most famous for leading roles in TV dramas including most recently last year’s “IRIS” and can also be seen in Cyon (LG) mobile phone adverts (see below). Lee is best known for his lead role in the 2005 movie “The King and the Clown”.

Kim Tae Hee and Lee Jun Ki at Seoul Race Park last week

Lee’s character will be a jockey who is successful in Japan returning to Korea to ride where he meets and competes against – and more than likely falls in love with – a female jockey. The announcement of the movie came just days after news of jockey Park Jin Hee’s suicide in Busan and allegations of mis-treatment of jockeys by trainers. All of this was picked up on by the mainstream Korean media and as such, a great deal of attention is likely to be given to Kim’s portrayal of the role.

Grand Prix is to be part-funded by the Korea Racing Authority and is a follow-up to the acclaimed 2006 film “Gak-sol-tang” (“Lump Sugar”), a good-natured tear-jerker which also had a female jockey as its lead character (played by Im, Su Jeong). That movie was notable for its impressive racing scenes – some of which are in the clip below – and was credited for creating many first-time racegoers:

Filming of Grand Prix, which is named after Korea’s most prestigious race, begins in April and is expected to last for approximately two months with a tentative release date of September or October. Both lead actors have reportedly been learning how to ride.

Probably the best mobile phone advert ever:

Seungundaesung Wins Sports Donga

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.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Weekend Preview

With the Triple Crown getting underway next weekend, this week sees a low-key three days of racing on the peninsula with the best three-year olds safely in their stables and only three class 1 races; two at Busan, one at Seoul.

Friday’s feature at Busan is over a mile and is an open race with Lucky Dancer, Galmaegi Kkum and old favourite Procyon involved. On Sunday at the Gyeongnam Province track, the main race sees seven go in a handicap rescheduled from two weeks ago when racing was called off following Park Jin Hee’s suicide. King Kephalos and Crafty Louis are joined by Seonnyang Yongsa and the three-year old import Captain Sir over ten furlongs.

At Seoul, Sunday has the pick of the action. Gi Ra Seong is yet to strike this year but is in contention for the feature race along with Taesanbukdu and the now six-year old Namchonuijijon.

Friday March 26

Busan Race Park: 10 races, first post 12:00, last 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races, first post 13:30, last 17:30

Saturday March 27

Seoul Race Park: 12 races, first post 11:20, last 17:40
Jeju Race Park: 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:20

Sunday March 28

Seoul Race Park: 11 races, first post 11:20, last 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:30

Triple Crown 2010: First Look At KRA Cup Mile Field

Nine from Busan and Four from Seoul set for Korean Guineas

The first leg of the 2010 Korean Triple Crown is less than two weeks away and the field is taking shape for the KRA Cup Mile – “The Korean Guineas” – which will be run at Busan Race Park on Sunday April 4.

Four challengers will be travelling south from Seoul in a bid to overturn the capital’s recent dismal record in the Triple Crown. Busan horses have swept all three classic races for each of the past two years.

Money Car leads the Capital contingent. He’s won five of his six starts with dismissive ease and has looked equally at home going round one turn or two. How he takes to Busan’s punishingly long back straight could be key to this race.

Money Car

He’s joined on the trip South by Silver Mon, who’ll have some supporters due to his being grey and the Seo Soon Bae owned pair of The Almighty and Forest Wind, both lightly raced and intriguing prospects.

On the home team, Cheonnyeon Daero is a prolific placer, if not winner, and has already qualified for the top tier of racing at Busan. Dangdae Bulpae, Saeroun Taeyang, Baekjeom Manjeom and Almighty Hit are not far behind. Meanwhile, Australian trainer Peter Wolsley saddles Mega Tough, who has won or placed in all his five races to date. Daewan, Udeumji and Glory Yeonggwang perhaps have less in their favour at this point. However, over the past couple of years, Korean classics have tended not to go to form.

KRA Cup Mile (KOR.G.II) – Busan Race Park – 1600M – Apr 4, 2010

Busan

Cheonnyeon Daero [Creek Cat – Doneitmyway (Northern Flagship)] (8/2/5/1)
Dangdae Bulpae [Biwa Shinseiki – Indeed My Dear (Alydeed)] (5/4/0/0/)
Almighty Hit [Concept Win – Dixie Snow (Dixie Brass)] (7/2/3/0)
Saeroun Taeyang [Volponi – Glorious Thunder (Thunder Gulch)] (7/3/1/0)
Baekjeom Manjeom [Fiercely – Mia Victoria (Flying Victor)] (5/3/1/0)
Mega Tough [Concept Win – Keu Roo (March Magic)] (5/1/2/2)
Daewan [The Groom Is Red – Greatgrama (Border Guard)] (8/2/2/0)
Udeumji [Yehudi – Lady Dignity (Nordico)] (7/1/0/2)
Glory Yeonggwang [Didyme – Lady Sandido (Sandrigo)] (7/2/1/2)

Seoul

Money Car [Newsprint – Pinocchio (Big Sur)] (6/5/1/0)
Silver Mon [Distilled – Silver Fizz (Cee’s Tizzy)] (6/2/1/1)
The Almighty [Capital Spending – Dauntless Cat (Mountain Cat)] (4/2/1/0)
Forest Wind [Capital Spending – Coffee Royale (Sword Dance)] (3/2/0/0)

As always since the KRA Cup Mile assumed the role as the first leg of the Triple Crown, much focus will also be on who is not making the trip south from Seoul. Arguably the most exciting three-year old of the lot, Northern Ace is, like Nice Choice last year, being targeted 100% at the Korean Derby in May. This backfired on Nice Choice but with Northern Ace only just back from a long lay-off, there was never much prospect of him going to Busan.

There are no fillies to follow in the hoof-steps of last year’s heroine Sangseung Ilro, who went on to win the Derby. Both Manjeomhwanhui and the unbeaten Dongbang Rose will stay in their boxes in Seoul waiting for their day to come later in the year.

Whereas in the past two years, the KRA Cup Mile has been given Korean Group 3 status, this year it has been upgraded to Group 2.

We’ll take a closer look at all the runners as the race gets closer. For now, here’s Sangseung Ilro winning last year’s event:

Smart As Me Wins Busan Ilbo Cup

Bally Brae Strikes At Seoul

Smart As Me got up for an unlikely victory in a thrilling end to the Busan Ilbo Cup this afternoon.

After Aju Joa had set the early pace in the seven furlong race, the stage seemed set for Useung Geotap, winner of five of her six previous races, to take the honours as she battled into the lead. But that was to reckon without some final furlong drama.

Outsider Neat Play, under Lee Sung Jae, darted to the rail as Hwang Jong Woo on Smart As Me began flying down the outside. In the middle Useung Geotap and Aju Joa seemed to go backwards. Five horses hit the line within half a length of each other but it was Smart As Me who was the clear winner by a nose.

Imported in 2007, Smart As Me was out for most of 2009. She returned last month with a victory and now, at age 5, is set to finally fulfil her potential. She has a record of five wins from twelve starts.

Busan Ilbo Cup – Busan Race Park – 1400M – March 21, 2010

1. Smart As Me (USA) [Take Me Out – Smart As Scot (Ascot Knight)] – Hwang Jong Woo – 12.3, 2.6
2. Neat Play (JPN) [Meishi Doto – Kobekko (Windstoss)] – Lee, Sung Jae – 33.0
3. Ilchul Gwangya (AUS) [Honours List – Zella (Zoffany)] – Lee Hee Cheon – 4.4
Distances: Nose/Neck
Also Ran: 4. Useung Geotap (USA); 5. Aju Joa (USA); 6. Daejaui Yeosin (USA); 7. Dalbit Miso (KOR); 8. Amateras (JPN); 9. Double The Gold (USA); 10. I First (USA); 11. Scit Scat Cat (USA); 12. Tropical Sky (USA); 13. Ecton Legacy (USA); 14. Bonghwasan Jeongi (JPN)

Up at Seoul, Bally Brae was expected record his second consecutive win in the feature race. With Oh Kyoung Hoan in the saddle for the first time, the popular eight-year old duly obliged leading from start to finish to win by a length from Free Hugs. In scoring his second victory of the year, Bally Brae notched his seventeenth career victory.

Oh Kyoung Hoan

It was a blustery day at Seoul although the wind thankfully did not bring with it the dust-storm that wreaked havoc across the track yesterday. Nevertheless, it made the long home straight very hard work for some. One of those who completely faded was Juamdaegun.

The three-year old Australian import was strongly fancied to make it three wins in a row in the last. However, after leading from the gate he fell away badly in the final furlong.

Also of mention at Seoul was a maiden victory for Murim Choegang. The four-year old had recorded five second and two third place finishes in his nine starts to date. Today, he finally went one better, cruising to victory in race six.

Yesterday's dust was still in evidence but the sun was out at Seoul today

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL

FULL RESULTS FROM BUSAN

Khanui Jeguk Busts The Dust

While high winds, rain and a dust-storm combined to create a trifecta of unpleasantness at Seoul Race Park this afternoon,  Khanui Jeguk kept up his 100% start to 2010 with an impressive win in the feature race.

Ham Wan Sik - Khanui Jeguk was the biggest of his 3 winners today

The four-year old was sent off as favourite for the ten furlong handicap and, under Ham Wan Sik, he took an early lead and always kept his rivals at arm’s length to take victory by a length and a half. Bungjeongmalli and Machine Gun filled out the placings.

Underperforming in the really big races in 2009 – the Derby, Minister’s Cup and President’s Cup – Khanui Jeguk did manage to land the Ilgan Sports. Winning on his season debut last month he looked much improved from last year and today’s performance confirmed  that he is likely to be involved in some of the bigger prizes later in the year.

Generally the only punters who have to go outside on miserable days like today are those who have plenty of respiratory problems already. Today those gents suffered even more for their cigarettes as a dust-storm swept in from China coating both surfaces and lungs in a fine yellow film of dirt and chemicals. Just as we had finally gotten rid of the snow, the phenomenon known as “yellow-dust” was making its first appearance of the year.

If it was awful in the stands, it must have been ten times worse on the track Just plain dismal weather had made it seem like night-time at lunchtime even before the dust hit. There were wins for useful looking fillies Secret Woman and Cheonun while Australian-bred three-year old Emperor Cugat looks to be getting better with every run.  Today the colt saw off a class 2 field by six lengths to take his second win of 2010.

Racing returns to Seoul tomorrow and at the moment the forecast is for much of the same. Yellow-dust is notoriously difficult to predict though so we may get lucky. On the track, Bally Brae is set to be the star attraction at Seoul while Sangseung Ilro, last year’s KRA Cup Mile and Derby winner is considered doubtful to start in the main event at Busan. That leaves the Busan Ilbo Cup, which pits some of the track’s up and coming imports against one another, as the big race.

FULL RESULTS FROM SEOUL