The weekend program gets underway at Busan on Friday with an 8-race afternoon and evening program which runs from 15:00 to 21:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 4 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Juvenile imported maidens in the opener with all but one racing for the first time. (6) SAENAE MOON went through two trials, winning both and leading all the way both times (the second of those on July 20^th was voluntary so may not be in all race cards). If he brings that form to the races, he can win. That equally applies to (9) GEUMA GUTTY.  He has been through four trials in total – the only mandatory one was on June 8^th, which was won by Saenae Moon, but he has since finished 2^nd and then won two trials of his own, all of them in quick times. The jockey and trainer were hot last weekend, and he may start as favourite. (1) CLEAN ONE qualified in a fair time on July 6^th but then went through another heat (again, voluntary so be aware, it won’t be in a lot of race cards) on July 20^th, coming from off the pace to win in 61.8 seconds.  From the inside, he can be a danger. (5) ASABIYYA trialed up behind Geuma Gutty and hinted at ability. The sole one with experience, (4) DRAGON REVENGER didn’t stand out on debut but may come on for the run.

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

It’s hard to go far past (1) CRAZY LEO. After a positive trial, he was sent odd as third favourite on debut over this distance on August 2^nd, and duly finished in 3^rd place, settling midfield and running on in a time much faster than any of the other experienced ones here have achieved. He won’t need to improve much on that to win this.  There are four first time starters, and among them (8) BIG JAWS is the pick. He raced handy in his trial, crossing the line in 2^nd place in a decent time and can put in a bold showing first up. (7) SHASHA similarly raced handy on her trial and came home a close 2^nd in a good time. If she brings that form to the races, she’ll go close. (9) RALLY MAN has been back to trial since his somewhat inauspicious debut, and he can improve. (4) BARAMSOK another trial 2^nd-placegetter who can be in the mix. 

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

Competitive maiden. (8) THE WIND has raced just twice improving from 6^th on debut to 4^th at start number two on August 2^nd, settling midfield and running on. The time wasn’t quick and he was a long way behind a good winner, but he has a smart finish on him, Munro climbs on, and third-up he may be peaking. (2) GOLDEN NICE is yet to finish in the top two but has five finishes between 3^rd and 5^th. She has been a bit far back in most of her starts but from a good draw, if she is in touch at the business end, she will be a danger. (7) B.K. MARON has been knocking on the door in his latest few outings and should be there or thereabouts again. (1) BACK TO THE HUNTER and (9) GRATE WORLD, the latter having beaten Golden Nice when a much-improved 4^th last start, are others in the hunt.

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

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (7) JULGEOUN DONGHANG ran 3^rd om debut over 1000M before winning at start number two on July 19^th, when settling just behind the speed and steadily improving over 1200M, striking the front just over a furlong from home and running on well. She comes up in class and slightly in trip, but with Munro up, she can measure up. (2) RAID HIT took a couple of goes to figure things out at this class but enters off a smart 2^nd place over 1200M on July 21^st. She is up 3kg in the weights, but she draws nicely, and Hye-sun is one for one on her. (4) UNION CHAMP was a winner on debut over 1000M on August 2^nd. She is up in class and in distance but can be competitive. (1) HYPER FORCE and (8) DAEJIUIYEOJEONSA others to consider.

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

For the next four weeks up until the Chuseok holiday, racing on Fridays will switch to a late afternoon/evening schedule. Sunday meetings will remain daytime only. The action kicks 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 Weigh A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with eight of the eleven racing for the first time. (2) FANTASTIC VALUE is one of the three with experience, and she looked very useful indeed, running a close 2^nd on debut over this distance on July 19^th racing on pace throughout. She should be on pace again here and probably won’t need to improve much to win. (10) SWORD WING ran 4^th on debut in that same race coming from off the pace. He had previously shown speed in a trial and can be a danger here. Among the first timers, (1) MEGA MACHINE was the quickest in trials, running an on-pace 2^nd. If he brings that form to the races, he’ll go close. (7) BEOLGYO WANGCHO was similar a front-running 2^nd in his heat in a good time and merits consideration. (5) DERBYEUI GGUM improved in the second of two trials and with similar improvement can go well first up.

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

(10) WHO IS NEXT looked good in a trial and then looked good at the races when 2^nd over this distance on debut on July 19^th, running handy throughout. He has the challenge of a wide gate here but should have come on for the run and is very much the one to beat. As for who is next, (6) HOLY RUN put in fair performance for 4^th on debut at the end of June. He should have come on for that run and eight weeks down the line can be ready to improve. From a central gate, expect him on pace. (9) GWANGSOKMA has achieved mixed results across eight starts so far, but he has a 2^nd place to his name and comes in having run 4^th behind Who Is Next in that July 19^th race. He should be there or thereabouts again. (1) DAEGIL YEOWANG and (5) BORA CHAMP other placing chances.

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

Competitive race for maiden fillies. (1) ROAD TO WIN put in a solid shift on debut over 1200M on July 12^th, settling midfield and running on pleasingly enough. She should have derived benefit from the experience and from the inside gate can be ridden forward today with every chance of winning. She will dispute favourite status with (6) TEAM SURPRISE. The juvenile filly has made steady progress across three starts so far, culminating in 2^nd place in a similar race to this over 1300M on August 3^rd. The slight step up in trip can suit and she could go one better. (8) JET SUN was 4^th in that same race having been in that position all the way around. She has a runner-up finish to her name and should be in the mix again. (5) DOCTOR ERICA and (9) GOLDMASK others to consider.

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

(2) OPEN SKY was an eased down winner on debut over this distance on June 2^nd to the extent the jockey got a reprimand for downing tools. He won doing handsprings though and while he hasn’t raced since, he went through a trial on August 9^th in which he dawdled early before cruising through to cross the line 1^st in a fast time. He can make it two from two here. (10) BEOLMAUI ACE is the main danger. He got his maiden win at start three over 1300M on July 12^th and then ran 3^rd on his first try at this class at 1400M on August 10^th. He makes a quick return here and has claims. (3) OUR DESTINY returned from five months out to run 3^rd over 1400M on August 11^th having led early. She too makes a quick return and under a light weight and back in trip she can be a threat. (7) HELLO SUNSHINE races for the first time since January. He got his solitary win at this distance and having trialled up fairly, he may offer some interest an each-way price. (11) SANGIM BOLT mixes his form, but the steadying presence of Alan Munro can bring the best out of him.

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

Normal racing service is resumed this weekend and the action kicks off at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 12:10 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Maiden juvenile fillies here with all but three racing for the first time. The three with prior experience debuted together over this distance on July 14^th and it was (10) GREEN SHARPEY who was best, finishing in 3^rd place having raced close to the pace throughout and stopping the clock in a good time. That’s enough for us to put her on top here. Turning to the first timers, (5) WIDAEHAN YAKSOK took three goes to qualify but when she finally did, she did it well with 4^th place in a good time, settling midfield and running on. If she brings that form to the races, she can be a danger. (1) ILLUSION ran 7^th on that July 14^th race behind Green Sharpey and should have come on for the run to the extent that she can get closer here. (6) LIKE DRAGON and (8) B.K DREAM are other newcomers who hinted at ability in trials.  

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

(2) DREAM RACE has appeared twice, finishing 4^th and 2^nd, most recently at this distance on August 2^nd when close to the pace throughout. In doing so she recorded the fastest time among these for the distance by a considerable margin and from a good draw, she will be a hot favourite to go one better today. (1) WE LIKE MONEY has been threatening to make a breakthrough across nine starts so far which have featured six top five finishes. She draws nicely here and while she may once again find one too quick, she should be close. (8) CHEONGMAUI JILJU has been making progress in recent outings and enters off a smart 4^th place at a mile last time out. She should be there or thereabouts again. (9) PINE BLUE and (7) BEOLGYOUI HIM others in the frame.

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

(6) DREAM TREE has raced twice and finished 2^nd twice, both over the 1300M and both times having settled back and run on. The slight step up in trip can suit, Munro gets on, and today can be her day. (4) SEONGSILCHAMPION has shown improvement in his recent few and comes in here off back-to-back 3^rd place finishes over this distance and at a mile, beating a couple of today’s rivals on his latest start on July 21^st. In this company, he can settle behind the speed and be a big danger late on. (11) HANEUL SINHWA comes in off a 3^rd place at this distance on July 14^th when racing on pace throughout. He set the fastest time among these for the distance and while he has the challenge of the widest gate here, that’s enough to put him in the mix. (7) PRIME JOY and (5) BACK TO THE HUNTER others in the mix.

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

(1) FANTASTIC DREAM got his maiden win at this class three starts back over 1200M and has since run 4^th and 3^rd in two outings, coming from off the pace both times. With Seo Seung-un taking over today, another win can be on the agenda. (3) RAON THE CHEONHA got his maiden win over this distance in January before running a very close 2^nd on his first try at this class in March. He hasn’t raced since but he looked well in a July trial and can be a danger first-up here. (6) WORLD WINNERS MAN got his maiden win when leading all the way over a mile two starts back but was slowly away on his first try at this class in July. With a better start he can be much closer here. (5) AWESOME SUNRISE and (8) ILCHUL GOLD are others in the placing frame.

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

With Seoul taking its summer week off, Busan is the sole action on Sunday with 14 races from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Anything could win this. (6) MAKE IT BETTER ran fairly on debut for a 6^th of nine finish over 1000M. He was doing his best work late on so with some natural improvement, a step up in trip, and with Munro climbing on, there is every chance that he will be better here. (3) STORMING MAGIC enters off a much-improved 2^nd place over 1300M on July 12^th when settling behind the speed and running on.  A similar effort will see her close here. (8) RAON STROKE was disappointing over 1400M last time out but has a 2^nd and a 3^rd to her name over this trip and Seo Seung-un being booked catches the eye. (4) AMAZING MOVE and (1) SIMON STAR others to consider.

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

(3) DREAMING BOY has a 3^rd and a 4^th among three starts so far up to 1400M and has been finishing off his races well. There is no early speed in this race so from a good gate, he can be on pace and the step up to a mile can suit. (8) GOLDEN NICE has been hovering on the brink of the places and comes in off a close 4^th place over 1400M on July 19^th. She tends to get back in her races so is another for who the step up in trip can be a benefit. (4) BABEL DREAMY is another who settles back and runs on. She has a 4^th and two 3^rd place finishes from her latest three, beating a couple of these in the process and she should be there or thereabouts again. (2) GEUMA BRISK and first-time starter (7) KING’S MARINE are the other chances.  

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with four of the ten making their racing debuts. Usefully for us, four of the ones with experience raced against each other on their debuts and a couple went well. (1) MY DREAM DAY finished the best of them over 1000M on July 12^th when on pace throughout and running 2^nd. He draws well to lead and this time can go all the way. (2) BEOLMAUI ANGEL was 2^nd in that race having been handy all the way. He has two lengths to find on My Dream Day but an extra furlong to find them. (3) NINETY PLUS was further back in 5^th place in that race, about two-lengths behind Beolmaui Angel, starting a touch slow and running on. He put in a super final furlong time and can improve second-up. With it perhaps being best to take a watching brief with the first timers, (10) EMPEROR and (8) BAEDARI BOSEOK, may be the next ones to consider.

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden. (4) CHEONHA GEONGANG raced twice without distinction around the turn of the year and was then put away for four months. She won a trial at the end of June and then ran 2^nd on her return over this distance on July 12^th, sitting handy throughout. She should have come on for that run and will be favoured to go one better today. (5) TROPHY WARE raced three times across the end of last year and the beginning of this, registering a 2^nd place sandwiched between two poorer efforts. She hasn’t raced since February but looked well when on pace in a July trial and can go well first-up. Continuing the theme, (1) NAMHAE YEOGEOL returned from almost six months off to run a solid 3^rd place on July 7^th in a similar race to this and beating some of today’s rivals. She should strip fitter for the run and draws well to lead and be in this a long way. (2) DREAMMA and newcomer (8) UNJU CHALLENGE are the others in the placing frame.

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

(5) BEAT DRAGON will be a warm favourite here. He comes in having run 2^nd and 4^th in his latest two, both at this class and distance. He has the fastest time among these for the mile by some margin and he could take some beating here. It’s not an intimidating set of opponents. (6) GOTOTHEVALHALLA was an all the way winner over 1200M to get his maiden win at start number three on July 12^th. He comes up in class and significantly in distance here, but he can measure up. (3) EUNSEONG CHAMPION will need a line drawn through his latest when weakening late over 1800M. He has a win, a 2^nd and a 3^rd from three starts at the mile though and can be in the finish here. (8) ILNYEOM SINHWA got his maiden win over this trip on July 21^st and while up in class, he is down in weight, and can be competitive. (1) TOP FRIEND another in the hunt.

Busan Race 6: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

With Seoul taking its one week summer break, Busan flies solo on both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday sees a 9-race card from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

(5) ROAD TO FIGHTER ran a close 3^rd in debut on July 5^th in a quick race over 1000M. He should have come on for that experience, the additional furlong can suit, and he can be the one to beat here. (6) GRAND DREAM beat Road To Fighter when winning a June trial before acquitting himself solidly on debut on June 21^st when 3^rd over this distance. It wasn’t a fast race but with some natural improvement here, he is the main danger. (3) STORM GRIT didn’t do much on debut but has since registered a very close 2^nd and a slightly more distance 3^rd in two subsequent efforts. He has the fastest time among the four of these who have attempted this distance already and he should be in the mix again. The form drops off after those three with (8) TRIPLE J and (4) FAT BOY the other placing chances.

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

Small but competitive field with a few of them looking ready to win. (7) NEW LEADER has made steady progress across three starts so far, culminating in a runner-up finish over 1400M in a filly-only maiden on July 19^th. In this company, she should be on pace, Munro climbs on, and she can go one better. (2) LASER GRIT and (4) B.K. MARON came home 2^nd and 3^rd respectively when they raced each other at this distance on July 7^th. Both had been on an upward trajectory leading up to that and both can be in the mix again. (3) SKY ARCH was 4^th in that same race having been ridden a bit further forward than in previous outings. She can be in this a long way too. (1) PINOT POWER the best of the rest.

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

(6) BEOLMAUI ACE debuted without distinction last November but didn’t re-appear until this June when running 2^nd over 1200M. He then got his maiden win at start number three over 1300M on July 12^th, racing on pace. He comes up in class and slightly in trip but third-up he can be peaking fitness wise, and he can win again. (4) UNJU GUY ran 2^nd on debut in June before getting his maiden win at start number wo when stepped up to this distance n July 14^th, showing on pace throughout. He too comes up in class but is in under a light weight and can measure up. (8) NEOM CITY is still winless but comes up in class having run 2^nd to Unju Guy in that July 14^th race. She comes down in the weights and can be competitive. (7) CAPTAIN EVERYTHING and (3) BEST BOY others in the hunt.

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

(4) GOAT KING IJI is yet to win in six starts but enters having overcome a wide draw to run a fair 5^th on his first try at this class over 1800M on July 19^th. He comes back to the distance at which he recorded his two best finishes and under a light weight and from a good gate, he can make the breakthrough here. (5) MORO made the breakthrough at the twenty-fourth time of asking at this class and distance on July 5^th. He only comes up 1kg in the weights and lightning could strike twice. (2) SUPER CRACK and (1) HWARANG ACE come in having run 2^nd and 4^th respectively when racing one another at this class and distance on July 7^th. The former is a non-winner, and the latter has won just the once, but both can be in the placing mix. (8) YEONSEUNG BRAVO another to consider for the minors.

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

With the Jeju Ponies taking the weekend off, it’s a bumper feast of thoroughbred racing across three days at Seoul and Busan – 43 races across the two tracks. The action starts at Busan on Friday with 14 races from 11:00 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Juvenile maiden fillies with all ten racing for the first time. (1) WINNERS ROOKIE is a “full sister to Korea Cup and Grand Prix Stakes winner Winner’s Man and looked well when 3^rd in a June trial, coming from off the pace. She was a long way behind the experienced winner but ran on well and from the inside gate can put in a bold showing first up. (2) UNION CHAMP recorded the fastest trial time among these when handy and running on. She too draws nicely and should be in the mix. (4) DOCTOR HAPPY was much improved on her second trial, showing on pace and running on well. She too has as good a chance as any. (9) GREAT MARU and (6) KYUNGNAM DRAGON are others who hinted at ability, and this could be an interesting race.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with five of the eight racing for the first time. We’ll side with experience and (2) WINNER CLEAR, who ran a close 3^rd in a fair time on debut over this distance on June 28^th having come from off the pace. He should have come on for that run and will be favoured to come out on top here. Having won a trial, (5) LIME TREE was sent off as favourite on debut over 1000M on July 5^th, but she started slowly and got a bit far back before running on for 5^th. She too should be better for that experience, the step up in trip can suit, and Munro climbs on. Among the first timers, (8) SAENAE HUNTER was a long way behind a class 1 winner of his heat but nevertheless, he raced on pace and posted a quick time and can go well. (1) STORM FIGHTER and (7) DIA KNIGHT the others most likely to make an immediate impact.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Maidens with three of the eight racing for the first time. (1) WONDERFUL GROOM will be a hot favourite, having run 3^rd on debut over 1000M on May 31^st and then 2^nd over the same distance at start number two on July 5^th. He raced on pace both times, the extra furlong can suite and he draws well to be on pace again and this time go all the way. After a couple of positive trials, (2) DREAM RACE settled handy on debut before running on for 4^th place over this distance in a fair time. She should have derived benefit from the experience and shapes as the main danger here. The pick of the newcomers is (5) CRAZY LEO. He went through two trials, improving in the second of them on July 6^th (which was a voluntary trial so may not appear in all racecards) when 2^nd, a long way behind the winner but in a decent time. If he brings that form to the races, he has placing chances first-up. (4) BORA CHAMP and (8) THE WIND others in the minor money hunt.

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

After winning a June trial, (6) WATER DRAGON ran 3^rd on debut on July 19^th over this distance racing handy throughout. He should have come on for that run, Munro gets on and he won’t need to improve very much at all to win here. (1) SUPER KANEL is a twenty-five- race maiden and can have a line drawn through his lates over a mile. He draws nicely here, and this is the kind of race in which he can find some minor money. (4) MISS CROW has raced three times with her best being a 4^th place in June when coming from well off the pace. She has tended to get too far back in her races but in this company, she can be more prominent. (9) GLOBAL SPURT and (3) GUKDAE LEGEND perhaps the best of a limited rest.

Busan Race 5: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Small but tricky field with none entering in convincing form. (4) GOLDMASK has hinted at ability across her seven starts so far and while she has finished no better than 4^th, she has finished off her races well and the slight step up in trip to 1400M may be just what she needs to break through. (8) FLYING ICE enters off a solid 4^th place over 1300M on July 12^th when settling right back and running on and a similar effort will see him closer in this company today. (1) HI LEGEND returned from four months out on June 21^st and while he finished back in the pack, he should strip fitter here and comes into a better gate. (5) PUREUN YEOLJEONG and (3) PRIME JOY look to be the other place chances.

Busan Race 6: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million