The short spring evening race season comes to an end this week with the action kicking off at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 15:00 to 21:00. Here are the previews:

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

Maidens in the opener with five of the twelve racing for the first time. We’ll take a chance on one of those. (1) QUEEN OF DRAGON went through two trials in March and April, settling midfield in both and running on well to cross the line 4^th in both in good times. She draws nicely, the 1200M can suit first-up, and if she brings her trial form to the races, she’ll be close. Among the experience, (12) KING DRAGON. He ran an on-pace 5^th on debut over this distance on March 15^th and while he was a fair bit behind the first-three, he should have come on for that run and can be closer here. (9) SHINING MORNING enters off a 3^rd place over 1300M last time out, her bets in six attempts so far. That’s enough to put her in the frame here. (2) GOLDEN NICE and (3) THE GREY MAN other potential improvers.

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

Fillies (and one mare) only in this maiden. (2) SKY ARCH has shown improvement across eight starts so far, and she comes in off her best when 2^nd over this distance on April 5^th when settling midfield and running on. She is third-up this preparation and from a good draw, she can go one better here. (5) HYPER FORCE improved to 3^rd at start number two over this distance on March 1^st when racing handy. She looks to have scope for more development and has posted the fastest time of any of these for the 1400M. (7) UNJU LEGEND enters off back-to-back 3^rd place finishes at a mile. An apprentice keeps her weight low, and she should be in the mix again. (9) DIA GRIT and (4) HAERANG JINJU others in the hunt.

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

(7) BLUE POINT has quite the name to live up to, but he looks to be figuring things out following a much-improved 2^nd place when stepped up to this distance at start number three on March 17^th. There isn’t much speed in this race so he should get a nice run to the front, and he can win here. The danger is (6) GREAT BOY. He made his first four starts last year recording a best of 4^th but was then off from October until re-appearing on March 15^th. The break seemed to do him some good as he was an improved 2^nd on return at 1300M and can be expected to strip fitter here. (3) MY WAY leaves himself too much to do but may appreciate the step up to the mile for the first time, while (5) NANGMAN DAERO has finished 4^th on each of his last four starts and could well do so again. (9) NEVERSTOP HEEMANG another to consider for the minors.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(8) HUNTER DRAGON remains a maiden but comes up to this class following back-to-back runner-up finishes in his latest two, both over a mile and both times racing on pace. He comes down in the weights, the step up in trip can suit, and he has every chance of getting off the mark here at what is only his fourth career start.  (6) NALA beat three of these on her way to a close 2^nd at big odds over a mile on March 22^nd when overcoming the widest gate and flying home late. She’ll be at least an each-way price again and could provide some interest. (3) TOP FRIEND ran 5^th in that March 22^nd race having raced on pace. He is a twenty-start maiden but has five 2^nd place finishes and should be in the mix here. (9) STREET ROCK and (5) QUEEN OF JOY others in the placing frame.

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

The Stakes racing action moves to Seoul this weekend with Sunday’s SBS Sports Sprint. The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday though with 8 afternoon and evening races from 15:00 to 21:00. Here are the previews:

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

Maiden fillies in the opener. (4) MARIA’S CALL went well in trials and debuted fairly in 5^th place over 1200M on debut on March 8^th when racing handily throughout. It wasn’t a quick race, but she should have come on for the run and she has as good a chance as any here. (2) WORLD ANGEL CAT was a much-improved 3^rd on her latest appearance on March 10^th, leading for much of the way. She draws nicely here, and a similar effort will see her in the finish again. (9) ROSE DRAGON improved to 4^th place at start number two over 1400M on March 15^th having been slowly away and run on well. The wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and she can get closer here. (3) BORAM and (5) RUNNING FASHION others in the minor money frame.

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

(5) FLYING THE FORD didn’t do much in two starts around the turn of the year, most recently in February, but he went back to trial in late March and led all the way around, stopping the clock in a quick time. If he can bring that form to the races, he’ll be the one to beat here. (6) FLASH DAY beat a couple of these when racing on pace on his way to an improved 4^th place on his second start over 1200M on March 15^th. In this company, he should be on pace again and can be in this a long way. (9) BREEDO PELL did nothing on debut last October but looked a much better prospect when trialling up again in March. He can go well first-up here. (10) WHITE FALCON and first timer (4) GLORY GANGSEO are others in the hunt.

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(2) SUCCESS YEONGGWANG is a sixteen-race maiden. But he has no fewer than nine top-five finishes on his record including a last start 4^th over this distance on Mach 22^nd when settling midfield and staying on. He draws nicely here and today can be his day. (3) HERE THE QUEEN got her maiden win two starts back over 1400M before running 4^th on her first try at this class, again at the 1400M, three weeks ago. She looks nicely in here and can be competitive again. (7) MAJESTIC DANCER came from well off the pace to get his maiden win over this distance on March 15^th. He comes up in class here but is slightly down in the weights, and he can measure up in this company. (12) B.K. ZENA and (11) CHOICE ROAD are others who can go close.

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

(2) OVER THE TRIPLE was a beaten favourite over a mile on March 22^nd when he led for much of the way and then weakened late on. He comes back down to a distance at which he has a win and a runner-up finish at in two prior attempts, and from a good draw, he can lead again, and this time go all the way. (1) DOCTOR CAPTAIN won that March 22^nd race, settling handy from the widest gate and running on for a narrow score. He comes up 3.5kg in the weights but that is balanced a little by a much better draw, and he can be competitive again. (7) MORNING FLOW was a winner at this class and distance two starts back and with an apprentice claim here, can go close. (11) ROAD TO TOP and (10) CAPTAIN CHARLIE are among others to be considered.

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

(7) SUCCESSFUL has been ultra consistent, finishing in the top five in all ten of his starts so far. He comes in having run 3^rd in a quick race over 1200M on March 1^st which he led at one point, and under the same weight today and up slightly in trip, he can win. That will mean overturning the form on (4) SKY ROJO. He was the winner of that March 1^st race, settling midfield and proving too strong in the closing stages. He comes up a full 5kg in the weights, but he is not to be dismissed here. (5) SKY JILJU led every step of the way to win in a decent time over this distance on March 17^th. He is up in class here but should be competitive again. (2) NICE BIG GUY and (11) WISE KING are other placing chances.

Busan Race 6: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(5) MASARANGGIL won back-to-back races over the turn of the year with the most recent being at this class and distance in January. She didn’t really feature on her latest start over 1800M at the start of February, but she comes in here fresh and back at a mile and drawn well, she can win. (1) WIDAEHAN SEONTAEK doesn’t win out of turn, but he enters in very solid form with two 3^rd places and a 4^th from his latest three at this class, all over 1800M. He draws nicely here, he carries a light weight, and he should go close again. (2) YEONGGWANGUIPRINCE is up in class having won over 1400M on March 3^rd. He has placed at this distance before, and he can measure up here. (6) PURPLE LINE and (12) BLACK VOLT others who can enter the calculations.

It’s Triple Crown opening weekend and the cherry blossom racing festival continues, this week with actual cherry blossoms having appeared. The action starts at Busan on Friday with and afternoon/evening card of 8 races from 15:00 to 21:00. Here are the previews:

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

Weak maiden to begin with but something has to win. Moon Se-young is in town to attempt to complete a Triple Tiara-Triple Crown 1^st leg double on Sunday and his conveyance here, (5) FLYING BABY, has as good a chance as any. We need to overlook her second appearance when she weakened badly, but if we go on her debut effort in December when running on for 5^th in a decent time at 1200M, she can go on top. There are plenty of runs we need to overlook here. (10) WEST POINT managed a 4^th place two starts back over 1400M. It was a slow race but that’s enough to put him in the mix here. (1) BIG BOY raced four times last year with a best of 5^th over 1400M. He returns for the first time since November and looked well enough in a March trial. (8) DIVINE KINGDOM and (11) SEOBU HOLIDAY other potential improvers.

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

Fillies (and one mare) only in this maiden and Moon Se-young will be on the favourite again. That’s (7) SAVAGE GIRL, who has been getting closer across her recent outings, and enters off her first 2^nd place finish on March 10^th when handy throughout. That came at start number fourteen, but she should finally shed the maiden tag here. (3) GEUMA REJOICE has hinted at ability across four outings so far with the best of them a 3^rd place at 1200M last November. She didn’t race again until a midfield finish on March 1^st and should strip fitter here. (6) SUNCHEON YEOWANG was a much-improved 2^nd at start number two at 1200M at the end of January. Se comes in fresh after ten weeks out and can go close. (9) SKY ARCH and (4) HARVEST MOON among other placing chances.

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

(1) ILNYEOM SINHWA has raced three times over the mile already and comes in having run 3^rd on March 10^th, racing close throughout and beating a few of today’s rivals. He draws well to be on pace here and today can be his day. (12) WORLD WINNERS MAN has been knocking on the door over his five appearances to date with his best being a 3^rd at 1200M. He has been doing his best work late so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and the step up to 1600M can suit. (9) FUERTE stepped up to this trip at start number two on March 3^rd and came form off the pace to run 2^nd. She was ell beaten by a good winner but won’t need to improve much to be close again. (6) BLISS MARINE and (3) SEOBU CAPTAIN others to consider.

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

Plenty of winning chances here. (4) SEUNGNI PARTY got her maiden in at this distance in January and has since run twice at this level for 3^rd and 4^th place finishes, most recently at 1400M on March 15^th when leading for much of the way. The drop back in trip can suit and she should be leading again here and can go all the way. (9) SANGIM BOLT remains a maiden but got promoted to this class following back-to-back runner-up finishes. He showed on the speed on his first try at this class on March 1^st ultimately finishing in 4^th place ahead of a couple of today’s rivals and can be competitive again. (11) BREEDO WIZARD and (12) LAND BANK are similarly maidens, but both have already placed at this class and can be dangers. (1) MADE HEEMANG is the other logical place chance.

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

For the next three-weeks, to try and coincide with the cherry blossom season, racing on Fridays and Saturdays moves to a late afternoon and evening schedule (Sundays will follow the normal daytime race times). It begins at Busan on Friday where there is an 8-race card from 15:00 to 21:00. Here are the previews

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

Maiden fillies in the opener. (7) CHEONHAJIYU came from off the pace to run a good 2^nd on debut over 1200M on February 22^nd. She should have come on for that run, the additional half furlong can suit, and jockey Franco Da Silva can notch his 400^th Korean winner here. Speaking of jockeys, “The Moon” is working Busan Friday! Seoul’s eight-time champion rider Moon Se-young is in town to ride in Sunday’s Luna Stakes and climbs up on (2) SUPREME QUEEN here. She has a 2^nd place to her name at this distance two starts back and from a great draw, she should be on pace and in this a long way. (12) B.K. DOMINER enters off two 3^rd place finishes, both at this distance. She drew wide in both of those and ran in well and should be a danger late again. (4) DREAMMA and (5) HYPER FORCE are others on the right trajectory.

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

(2) ONEULISUNGAN ran 3^rd on debut over 1200M on January 21^st, settling midfield and running on. He should have derived benefit from that experience, the step up in trip can suit, and he has every chance here. (1) BRUG KINGMAN race twice at the turn of the year, putting in a creditable 2^nd and 4^th at 1200M and 1400M, the latter rime leading into the closing stages. He comes in fresh following twelve weeks off and from the inside gate, he can go close. (9) BARADEON BADA was an on-pace 3^rd over 1300M on February 16h. With not a huge amount of obvious early speed in this race, she should get an easy run towards the front again and can be competitive. (11) STORMY DAY and (4) GOOD KING MAN others with very solid placing claims.

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

(7) LEMON DRAGON was an improved 4^th when stepped up to this distance for the first time on February 23^rd, having settled midfield and run on well. That was just his third start so there can still be some more improvement to come and against this limited opposition, he can make the breakthrough. (1) CLOUD LOVE looks as though he is finally figuring it out and comes in off a best finish of 3^rd – at start number eighteen – on March 3^rd. That was over this distance, as were his two prior outings which both resulted in 4^th place finishes. He is clearly in the form of his modest career and Seo Seung-un remains aboard. It’s not impossible. The form drops off after those two. Third favourite will be (2) NUNBUSINGIL. That’s based on his last start when only 6^th but it was at this distance, and he beat a couple of today’s rivals. (10) CHEONGMAUI JILJU and (5) THE ONE may be potential improvers among an ordinary bunch.

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

After running 3^rd on debut, (5) RUBY STONE got her maiden win at the second time of asking on February 23^rd, racing on pace throughout and winning comfortably in a good time over 1200M. She comes up in class here, but the manner of that win suggests that there can be more to come, and she will be a short-price favourite to win again. (8) GUKDAE HERO got his win in a quick race over 1300M back in December. He took a couple of goes to adjust to this class but ran a good 2^nd over this distance on March 1^st when settling midfield from a wide draw and running on. He comes up slightly in the weights but can aim for at least another runner-up finish here. (4) FLYING ACE got her maiden win over this trip in December and enters off a smart 3^rd place over 1300M on March 3^rd when she led for much of the way around. Moon Se-young climbs up and she draws nicely. (9) BRAVE CAPTAIN and (11) SANGIM STAR others in the hunt.

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) 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

Fillies only in this maiden with four racing for the first time but it’s hard to look past (5) HAEUNDAE SUNSHINE. After a green debut last August, she didn’t race again until December and has since posted a 3^rd and a 4^th in two starts at 1200M and 1300M. She’ll be on pace in this company, and she should have too much. (10) DAESUNG DOLPUNG has made progress over three starts to date, most recently when 4^th at this distance on March 1^st when settling behind the speed and running on. Similar to Haeundae Sunshine, in this race she can be expected to be further forward and can go close. The form falls off after those two but (8) RUN TO QUEEN should have come on for her debut on February 25^th when on the speed but weakening. She previously trialled well and can stick around a bit longer this time. Of the debut-makers, (11) JAZZ STAR looks comfortably the best while (2) GOLDEN NICE could be a long shot for improvement. 

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

Two standouts here. (8) CHEONHA SARANG scored a 3^rd and a 2^nd in his first two outings at 1200M and 1400M before running a fair 5^th when stepped up to a mile on February 23^rd. He likes to race on pace, the drop back in trip should suit, and while any top-three finish will see him in class 5 next time, he can exit the basement level with a win. The danger is (4) GWANGYAEUIHAMSUNG, and not just for tongue-tied race-callers. He has come close over his five starts, with his best being a 3^rd place at 1300M in December. There isn’t much early speed in this race so he can be on pace or handy and Choi Si-dae climbing up is a plus. It’s hard to go past those two, but (2) DAESEUNGNIJA has a pair of 3^rd places on her record so long as she is a bit better away than she was last time, can be a threat. (3) STAR PARK and (9) BLAZING MAN others to consider.

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

Not a strong maiden here. (5) BLISS MARINE improved to 3^rd place at start number two over 1400M on February 2^nd when on pace throughout. She gets a much better draw here and third-up can be peaking fitness-wise. She will contest favourite status with (12) NONSTOP DUTY. She has no fewer than five top-four finishes from six starts so far and while she is yet to finish in the top two, she has posted solid times and should be a threat here. (4) POMPEII was a fair 5^th on debut behind Bliss Marine on February 2^nd, racing handy before running out of energy late on. He should have come on for that run and can get closer here. (10) GWANGSOKMA and (11) TODAY QUEEN among others with placing chances.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million 

(2) OVER THE TRIPLE got his maiden win at start number two over 1400M in January before running a close 2^nd on his first try at this class on February 16^th. He comes up to the mile for the first time but there is no reason why it can’t suit, and he will be a warm favourite to score again. (11) WONDERFUL KAYLAN comes in off back-to-back runner-up finishes at 1400M – behind Over The Triple – and then at a mile. That brings her up in class here, but she comes down in the weights and she should be competitive. (6) SUPER CRACK and (4) TOP FRIEND come in having finished 4^th and 5^th respectively when racing one another over 1800M on March 1^st and both can be competing here. (8) HAMA another in the frame.