The final leg of the Triple Crown series, the Minister’s Cup, highlight’s the weekend’s action at Seoul on Sunday but in the meantime, things get underway at Busan on Friday with an 8-race card from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Fillies only in this maiden with four of the ten racing for the first time but one with experience goes on top and based on her last two starts, (5) DEUMULEO may be hard to beat. After a few very ordinary showings, she was much improved when 3^rd over this distance on May 3^rd and backed it up with a 2^nd place on May 24^th, both in quick times. She’ll be on pace and won’t need to improve much more to win here. A couple of debut-makers follow. (6) BACK TO THE LADY led every step of the way to win her trial in a fair time on May 25^th. She responded well when asked for effort and can go well first up. (7) SCORPION QUEEN won a heat on May 18^th, similarly, leading all the way. Her time was quick and unfashionable connections may mean she starts longer than she should (2) GUKDAE MIRACLE and (10) WORLD PINK CAT other money chances.

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

(8) OAK RIDGE shapes as favourite. He has five top-five finishes among eight starts so far and comes in off a smart 2^nd place over this distance on May 17^th when close to the pace throughout. Expect similar tactics here and he can go one better. (5) BEST BOY ran a close 3^rd in that May 17^th race, his second consecutive 3^rd place finish and he looks the main danger. Solitary debut maker (1) BREEDO SHOOTER went through two trials, the second of which may not appear in all race cards as it was a voluntary trial. This is unfortunate because she showed significant improvement, running on for 2^nd from a wide draw in a good time. She draws nicely here and can go well first-up. (10) PRIME PARK and (2) GWANGSOKMA among others in the hunt.

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(8) SEOBU VISION is yet to win in eight attempts but has five top-five finishes including a last start 5^th over a mile at this class on May 19^th. He has generally finished off his races well, and the step up to two turns can suit. (1) BLUE POINT is similarly a maiden, in his case from five starts, getting promoted to this level with back-to-back runner-up finishes over a mile in March and April. He ran 6^th behind Seobu Vision in that May 19^th race and both can be closer today. (6) YEONSEUNG BRAVO led that May 19^th race before capitulating. He was racing for the first time in almost six months though so can be forgiven and he has placed at this class and distance. He should strip fitter here. (2) DAEHOMA and (9) QUEEN’S ROAD others in the minor money frame.

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

(7) CHARON TODAY returns to racing for the first time since September last year. Her win came and this distance and she followed up with a 2^nd and a 3^rd at this class. Having looked well when 2^nd in a late May trial in a good time, she can be supported first up. (3) RUBY STONE is yet to finish worse than 5^th and got her win in a quick time at this distance. She comes in off a slightly disappointing last start on May 24^th when on pace and weakening, but from a good draw is worth another chance today. That will mean overturning the form on (10) SANGIM BOLT, who got his maiden win at this class and distance in that May 24^th race when racing handy and running on. He comes up 3kg in the weights, but a repeat is possible. (11) TRIPLE DREAM and (6) TAURUS KING, the latter another out of that May 24^th race, are others in the frame.

Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

The weekend’s racing gets underway in Busan on Friday with 8 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Having been through several trials, (3) DREAMING BOY made his debut over 1200M on May 10^th settling midfield and running on for 3^rd place in a decent time. He should have come on for that experience, he draws nicely and the slight step up in trip can suit. (8) HAERANG JINJU enters having run an improved 2^nd place over this distance in an all-filly maiden on May 10^th. She can settle just behind the speed here and can be a danger late on again. (7) DORAON ZETTA has the fastest time among those here who have previously tackled the 1300M. Franco climbs up and she should be aiming to go better than her previous best of 4^th place. (9) WE LIKE MONEY and (2) GOLDMASK are other placing chances.

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

A very underwhelming maiden. (9) HAERANG YOUNGUNG hasn’t raced since running 3^rd over this distance back in February but including that result, he has three top-four finishes. He gets the verdict here having run a very quick 2^nd in a May trial and if he brings that form to the races, he could be hard to hold out. There are two debut makers and (3) BREEDO KELLY performed fairly in her trial. She draws nicely and with Franco booked, she is worth a chance first-up in this limited company. (1) HOMYEONG JILJU ran fairly for 5^th place over 1400M on May 12^th, his best finish to date and from a good gate – and with absolutely no early speed in this race – can be further forward earlier and bettering that here. (4) GLOBAL SPURT and (8) MY WAY are the other placing hopes.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(5) BLAZING MAN has been getting closer across his five starts so far and comes in following the best of them to date when stepped up to a mile for the first time on May 10^th and running a solid 2^nd place with a couple of today’s rivals behind him. In this company, expect him to be on or close to the pace, and he can go one better. He will be a prohibitive favourite. Second favourite will be (9) SEOBU CAPTAIN. He ran 5^th behind Blazing Man in that May 10^th race when on pace and weakening late. He comes in under the same weight and in slightly weaker company, he should be closer. (1) SUPER KANEL ran 3^rd over 1400 at his last start and this is the kind of race the twenty-one-start maiden can find some money in again. (3) AMAZING CURLIN and (2) NANGMAN DAERO are others in the hunt.

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

Tricky one but we’ll go with (7) YEONYEIN. He has mixed his form in three starts at this level since getting his maiden win at this distance but his 3^rd place two starts back in a decent time is enough for him to go on top. He can settle behind the speed and run on. (4) SUCCESS BATTLE broke through at big odds at the eleventh time of asking over this distance on May 5^th. It was a fast time, and he overcame the widest gate to do it and while he comes up 2kg in the weights, he warrants more respect this time. (3) BLUE CAPTAIN and (1) TOO CUTE GIRL enter having run 3d and 4^th respectively when they raced one another at class and distance on May 12^th and both can be in the mix again here with the former more favoured. (10) YEONGGWANGUITOUCH another to consider.

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

The weekend’s racing kicks off at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

The two-year-old races begin and eight face the starter for the first time, so we head to the trial videos. (2) BIG MUSICAL STAR went through two trials scraping through the first in the slowest allowable time but then much better on May 11^th when overcoming a wide gate to settle midfield and run on for a close 4^th in a quick time (as a voluntary trial, this may not appear in all race cards, so do take note).  The trainer/jockey combination will ensure he has plenty of backers first up. It took (6) ARION TAEYANG two goes to qualify which he did well on May 4^th settling on pace and while a long way back behind a six-time winner the time was good, and he will be a danger here. (3) YONGBI PAEWANG settled right back in his heat before running on. (8) WORLD KNG IJI and (1) WONDERFUL GROOM others who may offer some interest at longer prices.

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

Fillies only in this maiden. (11) ONE WAY has shown improvement across her three starts so far and enters off a 4^th place at 1200M on May 3^rd when racing close to the pace. She may need a touch of luck from the wide draw, but she should be close here. (8) ONES HEYDAY enters off am improved 2^nd place over this distance on April 28^th when leading for much of the way. She recorded the fastest time of any of these for the 1300M and she can be on pace and in this a long way again. (4) GREEN LEGEND enters on the right trajectory with a 5^th and a 4^th from her latest two and she can be there or thereabouts again. (7) DREAMMA and the returning (10) ALLURE, the latter looking well in a trial earlier this month, are others in the frame.

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

(10) FLYING ICE has raced just twice but did improve in the second of those when stepped up to this distance on May 3^rd. That was four months after his inauspicious debut and he should strip fitter for that run and with Franco climbing on, there is plenty to like. (6) TODAY QUEEN has a 4^th and a 5^th from her latest with the 4^th coming when she led at this distance. There isn’t much early speed here so she should get an easy run to the front again and she should be in this a long way. (7) POMPEII has finished 5^th in all three starts so far. He comes into slightly softer company here and can be aiming higher. (1) GUKDAE WIFUNG and (11) B.K. MARON other placing chances.

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

(6) BURUI TONGCHI ran 3^rd on debut last October but didn’t reappear until March when he won first-up over 1200M on the last day of the month, overcoming a wide gate to settle midfield and then run on. He stepped up to this class on April 26^th and from the same wide draw, ran a close 2^nd place at 1300M. He comes up slightly in the weights, but that’s offset by a better gate and the slight step up in trip can suit. The big danger is (3) MR.KEYMAN. He too got his win over 1200M and comes in having run 5^th of twelve in a quick race over this distance on May 5^th.  He too draws better this time and won’t need to go much better than that to go close here. (10) LEMON BULPAE races for the first time since running 2^nd at class and distance in January. He looked well in an April trial and can be competitive first-up. (8) SKY SHOT was a class and distance winner on April 21^st and while up in weight shouldn’t be dismissed. (5) BLACK EAGLE another in the hunt.

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

Friday’s racing is at Busan with 8 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Mainly, but not only, fillies in the opening maiden. (11) LET THEM ALL COME has raced twice, improving to 3^rd place in the second of those over 1200M on February 23^rd. He has had thirteen weeks off since then and he has the challenge of a wide draw, but he has as good a chance as any. (2) WHITE FALCON looks the main danger. She has a best of 2^nd form eight starts and comes in off solid back-to-back 4^th places. He draws nicely and Seo Seung-un climbs on. There are three debut-makers and a couple of them warrant consideration first-up. Both (10) MAX KINGDOM and (4) DREAM RACE trialled well and if they bring that form to the races, they can be close. Returning to the experience, (6) THE GREY MAN is another potential improver.

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

Competitive maiden. (2) BABEL DREAMY has a 2^nd on her record and it came over this distance on March 24^th when beaten only by the useful Morpheus. She got a bit far back when 5^th among plenty of these on her latest start on April 26^th but she comes back into a much better gate, and she can win here. (5) ILNYEOM SINHWA is yet to finish in the top two but has no fewer than six finishes between 3^rd and 6^th. He has two 3^rd places among his latest three, both at this trip and most recently in that April 26^th race. He should be close here. (6) TRICKSTER was 4^th in that April 26^th race, following on from a 2^nd place at the start before and she can be a factor again. (4) STORMY DAY – who was 2^nd that day at odds – along with (1) STAR PARK are others to consider for the places.

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (8) SAENAE HIT is yet to win in seven attempts but has five top-five finishes, including her latest on May 3^rd when 3^rd over 1200M at this class. She comes up to the 1400M for the first time and it may well suit. (5) DAESEUNGNIJA is another non-winner, in her case from eight starts. She too comes in with recent form reading well with a 3^rd and a 2^nd from her latest two, both at this distance and the most recent being at this class too. She likes to settle back and run on, and she should be a danger late. (10) QUEEN’S ROAD mixes her form but she has two 2^nd places at this class over 1800M and may make some each-way appeal coming back in trip today. (3) SHINE FOREST and the up in class last start winner (9) DIA GRIT are others to consider.

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

Another competitive affair. (7) MASTER ROAD is winless in five starts but has never been worse than 4^th and has a 2^nd and that 4^th in her two starts at this class, most recently over 1200M on May 3^rd when beating a couple of today’s rivals. She has posted a quick time over this distance and with Seo Seung-un climbing on, today can be the day. The wildcard is (6) PHANTOM ACE. He showed plenty of ability at this level before suffering a setback and he finally returns to action after more than a year out. He didn’t offer too many clues in his trial, but he may make for some interest. (8) RUBY STONE is yet to finish outside of the top-three, and she can maintain that record here. Her win came at this distance, and she should be on pace and in this a long way. The form falls off after that. (2) TAURUS KING and (1) SANGIM BOLT may improve.

Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday where there are 8 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Fillies only in the opening maiden. (11) PURE DANCE returned from seven months out to run a fair 3^rd place over this distance on April 26^th, racing handy throughout. She should strip fitter for that run and can win here. That will mean overturning the form on (3) CHAS QUEEN. She ran 3^rd in that April 26^th race, settling midfield and running on to record her best finish to date. She draws nicely here and will be a danger. (10) SEOGWI STAR has the fastest time among these for the distance and comes in under an apprentice claim which can bring her into contention. (12) GOLDEN NICE and (5) STORMING MAGIC are others who have top-four or better finishes in their records and can be considered.

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

(7) BREEDO PELL did nothing on debut last October and wasn’t seen again until March when he trailed well, before returning to action on April 12^th and looked a totally different prospect, finishing 3^rd over this distance. He should have come on for that run and will be a warm favourite over this somewhat limited looking set of opponents. (2) SKY ARCH comes in following a 2^nd and a 3^rd in her latest two, both over 1400M, both times coming from off the pace and she can be one of the main dangers here. (6) BEST BOY was an improved 3^rd at his latest outing on April 21^st. He showed a smart finish on him and should be coming home strongly again. (8) OAK RIDGE and (4) ARA NURI are the other placing chances.

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

(5) HYPER FORCE didn’t do much on debut but has since run a 3^rd and a 2^nd, the latter in a filly only race over this distance on April 19^th when she settled just behind the speed and ran on very pleasingly. She was found to be slightly lame after that, but she was quickly back in work, and she can go one better today. (9) ONE WAY ROAD has been consistent across his latest few and in this company, he really should be looking for a best finish to date. There is very little early speed in the race so the widest gate shouldn’t prevent (10) BEOLGYO FRANCHE from getting to a forward position and with a 3^rd and a 4^th from his latest two, he should be in the mix at the business end of the race. (2) ROSE DRAGON and (7) CHEONGMAUI JILJU are others in the placing frame.

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

The only downside about (12) JEOLDAE BOSS is his draw. And perhaps that he is yet to win in fifteen attempts. He has plenty of near-misses though including last time out over 1300M on April 14^th when he led late but ultimately had to settle for 2^nd. In this company he can get a forward position, regardless of the gate, and he can win today. (6) CAPTAIN DIA was a winner at this class over 1300M two starts back before running close 5^th over the same distance at his latest outing when slowly away. He carries his fair share of weight again but with a better start he can be in the mix here. (5) GANGSEO JEORYEONG can mix his form, but he comes back in trip today and can be a threat. (4) BRUG KINGMAN is up in class following a last start maiden win and can measure up. (2) POWER PLANE another place chance.

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