Friday 13th racing is at Busan with 8 races from 11L15 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(3) LIGHTNING FORCE ran 3^rd on debut over this distance on February 13^th, disputing the lead and finishing off fairly. He should have come on for that run and from a good draw he can be on pace and can win here. (2) OASIS GIJEOK raced three times last summer and also has a 3^rd place on his record over this distance. He had a setback in late September and didn’t return to work until the start of February, but he looked well in a trial at the end of that month, and he can be a danger first up. (11) OVER RAINBOW has a pair of 5^th places from his latest two and can get closer with an apprentice claiming 4kg. (1) GEUMBIT TODAY and (9) DUBAI CANDY are others in the hunt.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(11) YURIM SPECIAL comes in off her best result so far over this distance on February 15^th when he led for most of the way around and only went down narrowly. She draws a touch wider than ideal but with a but of luck at the start, she can get forward again, and she can go one better. (2) EUNSEONG JILJU was 3^rd in that race, coming from off the pace. It was a first try at the mile and while she is up 2kg in weight, Seo Seung-un climbing on for the first time means she will probably be sent off as favourite to find the length and a half she needs to overturn the form on Yurim Special. That pair will fill out most quinellas because the form falls off precipitously. (3) PERFECT HAN has a 2^nd and a 3^rd on his resume at this distance and that’s enough for him to be in the numbers. (5) YEONGGWANGUI GREEN and (10) YEOSU LOOK AT STAR the minor money chances.

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (3) GRAND TREE got her maiden win at start two and enters off a close 2^nd place on February 13^th when overcoming the widest gate. She draws much better today and can win. (2) DOLPHIN KICK is yet to win in eleven outings but has ten top five finishes with a 2^nd and a 3^rd from her latest two, both at this class and distance, most recently behind Grand Tree on February 13^th.  She should be on pace here and today could be her day. (4) HIGH BEAUTY was a maiden winner at 1200M two starts back before showing on pace on her first try at this class on February 1^st, ultimately finishing in 4^th. She’ll be on pace again and can be in this a long way. Up in class last start winner (11) BULBIT YEONGMA and (9) CHAMP GIRL can measure up.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(9) YEOUN was a winner on debut over 1200M in January when she led all the way, before running 4^th on her first try at this class on February 13^th having shown on pace throughout. She holds an entry for the Luna Stakes in three weeks, and at least placing here should be a prerequisite to getting in. Take her each-way. (1) HANEUL GOLD enters off back-to-back 3^rd place finishes at this class over 1400M and 1200M. His maiden win was over this trip, and he will probably be the betting favourite. (4) RACE MARINE has run 2^nd in both his latest two over 1400M and a mile in contrasting styles. An apprentice claims 4kg here and that should put him in the frame. (2) FATE and (7) HOLY NIKE are other place chances.

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

The first Group race of the year takes place on Sunday at Busan with the G3 Busan Ilbo Sprint, and it’s on the south coast where the week’s action gets underway on Friday with an 9-race card from 11:15 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Maiden fillies with seven of the ten racing for the first time. (2) SUCCESS QUEEN was 7^th on debut last October, but a much-improved 2^nd at start number two over this distance on January 16^th when handy throughout. From a great draw, she will be on pace and won’t need to improve much, if at all, to win this. (5) NINETEEN NINE WON raced handy on debut to finish in 3^rd place in a similar filly maiden to this one. She should have come on for the run and can be in the finish again. (1) DEMETER made all to win her trial in a fair time and she looks to be the pick of the debut-makers. (10) DREAM BIG and (7) HUNTRIX others who hinted at ability in their heats.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(11) JEONGMUN SKIP has been getting closer, most recently running 2^nd in a slow race over this distance on February 8^th. The wide draw won’t be a problem, Franco knows her well, and she is the one to beat. (7) NONSTOP HUG hasn’t shown much in the way of speed so far, but she was a fair 3^rd at start number two over 1300M on Boxing Day. She hasn’t raced since but the step up in trip can suit and she can be a danger. (5) QUEEN WIND has mixed her form over three starts so far but does have a 2^nd place to her name and that’s enough to have her in the numbers here. Solitary debut-maker (3) DOCTOR HUNTER, along with (1) THEMIS are others in the frame.

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(1) ENCORE has been on pace in his latest outings before weakening slightly on each occasion. He cuts back in trip today, he draws nicely to be on pace again, and he can return to winning ways. (11) YOUNGYOUNG BRAVO has won his latest two, most recently at this class on January 30^th over 1400M. He is up 3kg in weight but should be firmly in the finish again. (3) TRIPLE J beat Encore when the pair came home 1^st and 3^rd over a mile at this class in December and with Seo Seung-un climbing on today, he is sure to have plenty of backers. (4) OASIS STAR is up in class following a maiden win and can measure up, while (12) GWANGSOKMA is another in the placing frame.

Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(1) SUN LIGHT is yet to win in twelve attempts but has nine top five finishes and enters having beaten three of these on her way to 2^nd place at this class and distance on January 25^th. She does tend to get a bit far back in her races but today can be her day. (4) PORT MORE comes in having registered his maiden win at start six over a mile on February 1^st when he led from gate to wire. He is up in class and in trip today, but he’s down 3kg in weight and can measure up. (5) UNJU MAGIC was 2^nd to Sun Light’s 5^th when they raced one another at this class and distance in January. He struggled on his re-appearance at a mile in February but is worth another chance today. (2) BARBELL TROFEO and (9) TAEPYEONG FLEX others in the hunt.

Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Fillies and mares only here. (6) GOLDEN EMPIRE has won two of her latest three, most recently at 1300M on January 23^rd when making all. She is up in class here and while she doesn’t get a weight break as she only had 52kg that day, she looks to have potential for more progress. (4) CRYSTAL MULGYEOL is similarly up in class having led all the way to score at 1300M on January 30^th. She has placed at this distance too and can lead again and be in this a long way. (7) FLYING MENACE came home 2^nd at this class and distance at a big price on February 8^th and warrants more respect today. (10) QUEEN OF DRAGON and (5) FLASH RUN are the other main chances in a competitive race.

Racing is back and it’s a four-day weekend with Seoul and Jeju holding holiday cards on Monday. The action gets underway at Busan on Friday with 9-races from 11:15 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

(7) CAMPIO is a Kim Hye-sun prepared debutante by Mischieviously that led throughout to win his trial impressively by one- and three-quarter lengths on December 20 in a time of 1:01.9 and that looks more than good enough to make a winning debut. (10) DELTA FORCE was beaten miles in his first trial on July 5 but after five months off trialled again on December 13 and won comfortably by five lengths. He was a beaten 1.8 favourite on his race debut on January 23 but wasn’t disgraced finishing third beaten a length when racing on the pace throughout. (8) BACK TO THE DREAM is a Gemologist debutante for Lim Keum-man that has had the one trial for a half-length second on January 29. (5) NICE MYEONGGA has been around the mark to date in his trials and solitary race and is next best over (1) OASIS KINGDOM and (4) SEOGWI GREAT.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(10) ROAD TO NUMBER ONE is a Lee Jung-pyo trained filly by the American Royal Ascot winner Uncaptured that has had the one trial for an impressive front-running success on January 22 by three lengths so she must be given the utmost of respect on debut. (4) FAST WIND has proven a bit of a handful to date racing greenly and resenting kickback. He was never in the hunt after a poor beginning last start, but he was in the market against a couple of nice types and did manage second when making his debut prior. (5) QUEEN’S TODAY has had the three starts, and they have all occurred over this trip, but she perhaps would appreciate a tad further. She can however be given a place chance going on the way she has got to the finish at her last two. (9) POWERFUL THUNDER has been around the mark to date whilst (3) BREEDO SHOOTER is an interesting runner and rates over (2) SWEET MAN.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(6) WIN NOW is the only debutante in the field but this Moon Hyeon-cheol prepared son of Final Boss can go close. He ran past a few late when fourth beaten 18 ¾ lengths in his first trial on January 8 prior to a good victory on January 29 when coming from near last to prevail by a half-length. (11) DUBAI SEONMUL came from well back after a slow start to be a three length second on debut back in December prior to a third beaten 12 lengths on January 30 behind Bunker Buster, who he did run past back on debut. After drawing against the inside running rail in both runs to date, he draws the widest bar one for this assignment but might find this to be a tad easier than his first two runs. (9) LIKE DRAGON had been knocking on the door prior to last start when failing as a 1.8 favourite in the form line race for this. He failed to handle the kickback on that occasion but draws wider here. (1) TOP OF THE RANK beat four of his rivals last start and they included (8) GREAT POWER who rates next over (10) YONGBI JJANG.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(12) QUEEN MAKER didn’t do much at the trials so was sent off at 72.4 for her debut but was a good second beaten by less than a length. She was a three length second to Bunker Buster, who races later in the card, last start and despite drawing wide is a chance of going one better. (9) FAPPI BABE is yet to do much wrong with two third places prior to a two-length victory from the front on January 16. (4) SWORN QUEEN overcame a bad start to score last start. (3) MOMENTUM won her maiden on Boxing Day by a whopping 16 lengths prior to a fifth last start. (2) BREEDO ARENA broke through last time and is improving and THIS WAY (8) has won at this level in the past. (1) BORYEONG ONE ROAD and (6) LAMPYOJEONGGEENIE must be considered too in a tough race.

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(9) BUNKER BUSTER failed on debut as a 1.2 favourite but duly made up for that at attempt two when winning his maiden over 1300 metres on January 30 by a soft three lengths. He looks to have progression and can win again. (2) OASIS YOUNG is another who won his maiden last start over 1300 metres with his occurring on January 25 by four lengths. He hasn’t done much wrong in three runs and is another who can go well up one level in grade. (6) FAST MAN was just behind the placegetters in some feature juvenile races last season before winning his maiden by 13 lengths in December before failing badly as a 1.3 favourite in his first run at this level and over this trip. He was a beaten favourite again last time, however, ran much better. He returns to the 1400 metres, and it will be interesting to see how he performs with Franco da Silva riding for the first time. (5) SEONGSIL DREAM was an impressive winner of his maiden last time and rates over (11) DAEGIL HERO and (10) SHINING ONE (10).

The last weekend before the brief Lunar New Year break kicks off at Busan on Friday with a 9-race card from 11:15 to 17L55. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(11) DOCTOR CHAMP returned from over three months out to run a close 2^nd over this distance on January 30^th, racing on pace. He has the challenge of a wide draw here but should strip fitter for that run and has solid claims. (1) MAGIC OF ART enters off an improved 3^rd at start three over 1200M on January 23^rd when she tracked the leaders and ran on well. She draws well to do similar today and this time, he can win. (5) THE POINT was similarly an improved 2^nd at start four on December 28^th when on pace throughout. He was found to have bled after that, but he came through his mandatory trial in fine fashion at the end of January and is a chance here. (12) CHOEGANG HAPPY and (10) HUIMANG LOGI others in the frame.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(9) SUCCESS DAY has a 3^rd and a 4^th from his latest two, beating a couple of today’s rivals last time out on January 16^th when on pace throughout. He can be on pace here and in this a long way again. (11) KISS THE RAIN has made steady progress across four starts so far with his latest his best when 2^nd on his first try at 1400M on November 16^th when leading for much of the way. He has to contend with the widest gate, but he won’t need to improve much to win this.  (2) DIA X has been consistent in recent efforts, and this is the kind of race he can go close in. (4) FANTASTIC BOSS and (3) OASIS RUBY are others in the hunt.

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies and mares only here.  (2) DOLPHIN KICK is yet to win in ten, but she has nine top five finishes including her latest when a close 2^nd at this class and distance on January 23^rd when racing handy throughout. She draws well here to be on or close to the pace and today can be her day. (9) FLEX TAP has a 4^th and a 3^rd from her latest two at 1200M and 1300M and she can continue her positive run of form here, probably from on the pace in this company. (12) GRAND TREE knocked up very quickly last time out in a slow race at this class and distance at the end of December but was later found slightly lame. He’s been back in work since January 24^th and can be given another chance here. (7) JOY OF QUEEN along with (11) TWO TWO FLYING are other place chances.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

The second division of the fillies and mares at class 5 level. (8) YEOUN was an all the way winner on debut in a filly maiden over 1200M on January 9^th. She comes up in class but is down in weight and has every chance of measuring up in this company. (11) ARI DRAGON was a winner on debut last summer and followed it up with a 2^nd place at this class over 1400M before being out for the next almost six-months. She returned with a runner-up finish at this class and distance on January 11^th and she can strip fitter today and will probably start as favourite. (3) STAY COOL was a maiden winner over 1400M two starts back and then ran a fair 5^th on her first try at this class on January 18^th and can get closer today. (2) BLACK TREE and (7) WONDER MOCCASIN others in the hunt.

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 9 races from 11:15 to 17:55. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Three-year-old maidens with nine of the twelve racing for the first time. (2) NICE MYEONGGA went through two trials, showing decent pace in both and a bit more maturity in the second when she overcame a wide gate to beat a couple of today’s rivals. From a great draw she can be on pace and she can win. Of the experience, (4) BULBIT YEONGMA was longest shot but one on the board on debut over 1200M on January 9^th but he outperformed expectations to settle behind the speed and run on for 4^th. With some natural improvement, he can be closer here. (5) DONNAEKO and (1) WILD JUMP hinted at ability in their respective trials and can be competitive first-up. (8) HELLO GOOD was well back in a painfully slow race on debut but can improve.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(9) KING BLACK didn’t do much on debut in October but has since run 4^th in two starts at 1200M and 1400M. The times haven’t been quick, but he has been competitive and in this company he can settle just behind the speed and has as good a chance as any. (8) FLYING SHOOTER ran 2^nd over this trip in December and comes in off a 4^th place when drawn widest on January 25^th. He makes a quick return here and with a 4kg claim can be close. (2) BREEDO QUEEN STAR has a pair of 5^th places and a 3^rd from her latest three and with Franco on for the first time can be in the mix from a good draw. (12) DOCTOR CARRY and (10) HIGH LEVEL other place chances.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(10) BAMTORI BAMBAM has made progress across three starts so far with a 4^th, 3^rd and most recently a 2^nd place at this distance on Boxing Day. Despite the wide draw expect to see him on pace and he can win here. (11) FANTASTIC SANTA was 5^th in debut and then 2^nd at start number two over this distance on January 9^th when racing on pace. He has the challenge of the widest gate here, but he can get forward early and has every chance. (9) SEONGSIL WORLD beat a couple of today’s rivals on his way to a much-improved 2^nd place on January 2^nd and he can build on that here. (3) BIROE SERVE and (5) GAMDONGUI BAKSU others in the placing frame.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(1) OASIS WICKY was a winner back on debut and has been close to following up with two 3^rd places and a 2^nd from his latest three, all at 1300M and last time beating a couple of today’s rivals when not far away at all from the same gate he has here. He can settle behind the speed and will be favourite here. (5) FLASH RUN was 5^th in last year’s Korean Oaks but hasn’t raced since August. She looked well when a close 2^nd in a January trial, showing on pace throughout, and Seo Seung-un being booked suggests confidence first-up (7) BULBIT GANGJA got his maiden win at start number four over 1200M on January 2^nd, racing on pace throughout. The win had been coming and while he is up in class today, he can measure up. (11) GAMDONGUI DOLPA and the veteran (12) DAEHOMA others who can compete for the minors.

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million