It’s Grand Prix Stakes weekend with the big race at Seoul this Sunday afternoon. The action gets underway at Busan on Friday though with a 9-race card from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Juvenile fillies with all twelve racing for the first time. (12) NAMHAE YEOGEOL went fastest in trials leading for most of the way before a six-time winner (Road To V) cruised by late. She has the challenge of the widest gate but on that form, she warrants a serious chance. (2) CHIMING RUN sat handy and wide in her trial, responding well when asked for an effort and finishing off nicely in a good time. She draws well and that will probably be enough for her to start as the favourite. (6) PASSION trialled up fairly in a quick heat. She is a half to plenty of useful runners and the 1200M should suit first-up. (8) FLYING BABY and (7) BAEKPAL BOEUN, the latter having been through three trials, are among others who can go well first-up. As ever in this type of race, keep an eye on the market.

Busan Race 2: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Imported juvenile maidens with four of the twelve racing for the first time. Five of the experienced ones faced each other in a very similar race on November 17^th. Having won a trial, (7) BIWOL was the best fancied among them and he ran well for 2^nd place, having sat handy throughout and is probably the one to beat here. (8) WINNABLE EDITION was a touch slow out of the gate in his trial but was ridden up to the lead and then ran on very nicely to cross the line in front in a quick time. He won’t need to improve much on that trial to go close. (5) BEOLMAUI JEONSA looked very useful on debut over this distance on October 27^th, leading for much of the way and ultimately coming home 4^th in a good time. He should have come on for that and can be on pace again here. (1) LOVE KING IJI and (12) MASTERY MAN came home in 3^rd and 4^th place in that November 17^th race, and they too can come on here. 

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(5) BEST PRIME has improved across three starts so far, culminating in a 2^nd place over this distance on November 19^th when handy to the speed throughout. He comes in under the same weight, he draws well, and he can go one better today. (3) GUKDAE HERO has one howler over 1400M sandwiched between two creditable performances when 2^nd and 3^rd, both at 1200M. He likes to settle back and run on, and he can be doing his best work late again here. (11) RUNNING FASHION has mixed her form across three six starts so far but her 3^rd place at this distance two outings back suggest she can be in the mix here. (4) TODAY QUEEN and (7) AMAZING MOVE other potential improvers.

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

After a fair debut, (4) HANEUL MANJEOM was a much-improved 2^nd at start number two on November 12^th when close to the pace throughout and stopping the clock in a good time. He draws well, he should be on pace again, and third-up he can be peaking fitness wise. (1) MORPHEUS led for part of his debut on October 20^th, ultimately coming home in 5^th place in what was a slowly run race. He should have benefitted from the experience and from a great draw can be on the speed here and in this a long way. (5) B.K. WARRIOR was an improved 2^nd at start number four on November 3^rd settling handy and running on to only go down narrowly. She remains under a light weight here and can be close again. First-time starter (10) UNJU LEGEND, along with (2) TENGRE, are others to consider.

This weekend sees the penultimate big races of the season with the Breeders’ Cup Rookie, the champion juvenile race, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Queen, for fillies and mares at Busan on Sunday. That means plenty of Seoul-based jockeys are also in town as the weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 9 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Juvenile fillies in the opener and it should be competitive. (11) SMART SMILE has made progress across three starts so far, most recently a 2^nd place over this distance in a similar all-filly race on November 10^th when settling right back after a slow start and running on well. She has also posted the fastest time among these for the distance and has every chance of making the breakthrough here. (6) DAEJIUIYEOJEONSA ran 4^th on debut over 1000M in September before repeating that finish when tried at this distance for the first time on November 3^rd. In this company she can be ridden on pace, and she looks a danger. (1) UNJU JILJU raced once in July finishing a fair 6^th over 1000M in a decent time. She looked well in a November trial and can be competitive first up here. (9) ALICE MARINE and (2) GREEN CHIEF others in the hunt.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(6) HI WINNER has a 4^th and a 3^rd from two starts so far, most recently over 1400M on November 17^th when handy throughout. She can sit behind the speed again here and with a bit more natural improvement, she can win this. (5) HEUIMANG FLYING ran 3^rd on debut over 1000M before overcoming the widest gate to finish a fair 5^th in a very slow race on November 12^th. The pace should be a little more honest this time around and she can get closer. (2) BURUI JEWANG comes in off a 5^th and a 6^th place from her latest two, both at this distance. She draws nicely and a similar run can see her get closer today. (8) HERE THE QUEEN and (7) GWANGSOKMA, the latter who shouldn’t be judged on his debut in that November 12^th race when they went at a crawl, are others to consider for improvement.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

More maidens with the four widest drawn all racing for the first time. None caught the eye in trials, so we have to side with the experience, even though that form is patchy itself. The favourite will probably be (3) BROWN FALCON who has finished between 4^th and 6^th in her three starts so far, settling back and running on. Form a good draw and with a lack of early speed in this race, she may well be ridden further forward today, and she has a smart finish on her. (4) GLOBAL WEEK ran three times in the spring and the early summer with a useful 4^th sandwiched between two very plain efforts. He steps out for the first time since July and if he can bring his November trial form to the races, then he should go well. (1) CHRYSOL HERO has the fastest time among these for the distance and that’s enough to put him in the hunt for the minors here. (2) WHITE FALCON and newcomer (9) TRIPLE AXEL perhaps the best of a limited rest.

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(9) KOHINOOR has shown steady improvement across four starts so far, culminating in a 3^rd place over 1200M on November 12^th. She likes to settle back and run on and the step up to this trip for the first time can be to her benefit. (3) YEONGGWANGUIPRINCE was a significantly improved 3^rd over 1300M on November 10^th when settling midfield from a wide agate and running on. He is another for who the additional distance can be a plus and he should be in this. (8) YONGBI KHAN beat thee of these on her way to a best finish of 3^rd over this distance on November 10^th and that’s enough to put her in the frame here. (5) GOOD KING MAN and (2) AQUARIUS others to keep safe on a place line.

December’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 9 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Juvenile maidens in the opener with eight of the twelve racing for the first time. We’ll take a chance on a newcomer although there is a caveat. (9) HANEUL EUTTEUM trialled up nicely at the start of November, running a very close 2^nd in a quick time and racing on pace. However, he had previously failed several trials for manners – weaving all over the home straight in one and abruptly stopping in the early stages in another. If those issues are fixed and he brings his latest trial form to the races, he is a chance. He’ll need to be taken on trust though and the probable favourite is (1) SAENAE HIT. He was favourite on debut as well after a good trial and ran a fair 5^th over this distance. He will be on the speed here and should have come on for the experience. (5) SEOBU VISION took two goes to qualify but posted a quick time second time around and is another newcomer who can be on the speed. (6) SANGIM BOLT and trial winner (10) GLOBAL SPURT others to consider.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(9) SHINE FOREST was a quick 3^rd on debut over 1000M in September before following up with a 2^nd place when tried at this distance for start number two on October 29^th when she sat behind the early speed and ran on, stopping the clock in a good time. She can go one better here. (8) DAY BY DAY is yet to finish in the top three but has ended up in 4^th of 5^th in each of her last five outings. Along the way she has posted the fastest time of any of these for the distance and she should be securing a best to date finish here.  Solitary debut-maker (7) ROAD TO PARTY was an on-pace 2^nd in his trial in a good time at the end of October. This isn’t stiff company to debut in, so he has to be given a chance first-up. (10) RED JASPER and (5) CHOEGANG WEEK among others in the placing hunt.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(11) GRAY QUEEN came out of the same wide gate she draws today to close from well off the pace for 2^nd place at start number two over 1200M on November 3^rd. She was a full ten-lengths behind the winner, Running Tree, but the additional half furlong should suit, and she will be doing her best work late on again. (8) VALHALLA is probably worth another chance. He weakened badly on debut over this distance on November 10^th, but it was just a week after he exerted himself plenty in winning a trial. He has had three weeks off this time and may reproduce his trial form. (5) THE BIG SHOT comes in off a couple of 4^th place finishes, most recently behind Gray Queen in that November 3^rd race and she should be there of thereabouts. (7) DORAON ZETTA and (3) SKY YEONGUNG – who was dreadful on debut but had previously hinted at ability in trials – are others who should be in the frame.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(4) CHARMING BEST comes up in class having broken through at the fifth time of asking, winning a quick race over 1200M in fine style on November 5^th. He draws nicely to get on pace again and he can measure up in this company. (9) FABULOUS BEATER is yet to win in seven starts, but comes in off three consecutive runner-up finishes, most recently at this class and distance n October 27^th when settling midfield and finishing off well. It was a quick time and while he comes up slightly in the weights, he can potentially go one better here. (10) DONGNAM WINNER got her maiden win two starts back with a brisk score over this distance. She ran a fair 5^th of eleven on her first try at this class in a similarly quick race on November 5^th and she shouldn’t be far away here. (11) JEONGMUN LEGEND and (6) CHAS PALPAL among others to keep safe.

The weekend of racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 9 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Juvenile maidens with four of the twelve racing for the first time. (11) BIG WILD is the most promising of the newcomers. He ran on pleasingly in his trial finishing 2^nd in a good time, albeit seven-lengths behind Have A Good Day, who won last weekend. He draws wide but the 1300M may suit first up and he can win. (4) UNJU TOP ran well for 4^th on debut over 1000M on October 6^th. He should have come on for the run and from a good gate he can sit on or close to the speed and can go closer this time over the extended trip. Expect him to be the betting favourite. (10) WORLD WINNERS MAN was totally unfancied on debut over 1200M on October 20^th but beat a couple of these on his way to a creditable 5^th. Debut-makers (12) VOLCANO GRIT and (2) BEOLMAUI ACE are other possibles having both hinted at ability in trials.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Competitive maiden. (4) WONDERFUL CHEROKEE has raced twice for a 2^nd and a 3^rd, both at 1200M and both times racing on pace. He draws nicely here for a soft run to the lead and while he like most of these he tackles the seven-furlongs for the first time, he can win. (9) ROAD TO TOP also has a 2^nd place on his record, recorded at start number two in August when slowly away but running on. He followed it up with 4^th place at 1300M on October 15^th and the additional half furlong may be exactly what he needs to make the breakthrough. That will mean overturning the form on (5) CHRYSOL SIERRA, who was 3^rd in that October 15^th race. That was just his second start and was a marked improvement form his debut showing. He too has been doing his best work late on and the 1400M can suit. (7) SPRIT FIGHTER and (1) MAX THE CAT among plenty of others in the placing frame. 

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(10) SKY JILJU enters off a 2^nd and a 3^rd from his latest two, most recently over 1400M when racing handy throughout. He draws a touch wider than ideal but with a bit of luck at the start, he can find a position on or close to the pace and he can win. (11) LIGHT BROWN ran 3^rd behind Sky Jilju in September before repeating that finish again over this distance on October 27^th. He gets an even worse draw, but he can follow Sky Jilju across to sit behind the speed and then run on. (4) YEONGGWANGUITOUCH is yet to win in eleven tries but enters with recent form reading well. He has posted some good times at this trip and from a good draw, he has every chance of going close here. (5) GUKDAE HERO and (6) WIND MAGIC are others in the hunt.

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(1) HWANG YO is yet to win in five attempts but has never been worse than 4^th and he already has a runner-up finish to his name at this class and distance, two starts back, when racing on pace. He comes into a better gate than the one he had when 4^th last time out at 1300M and from the inside gate, he can get a soft run to the front. He will be a short-priced favourite to score. (8) GANGSEO BULPAE is similarly winless but comes up in class following two runner-up finishes and one 3^rd at class 6 level at 1200M and 1400M. She likes to race on pace, she comes down in the weights, and she can measure up in this company. (3) BEST CHAMP has raced three times with a good win over 1300M sandwiched between two plainer efforts when she has been too far back. She comes into a much better gate today and can be given another chance. The up in class (9) MASTER YODA, along with (4) DIABLO QUEEN are others to keep safe.

President’s Cup weekend gets underway at Busan on Friday with 9 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Juvenile maidens in the opener with six of the twelve racing for the first time. It will be one of those first-timers who is the favourite. (8) ASTRO KING went through two trials, running on pace in both and finishing 2^nd in both. His times were fast, especially in the second of those trials, and if he brings that form to the races, he will take some beating. (4) HI CHAMP led for most of the way around on debut over this distance on October 20^th, ultimately finishing a close 2^nd in a decent time. He draws nicely to be on pace, and he can be a big threat to the newcomer. (3) ARION KING has raced twice and while both efforts have been a touch plain, his time in his latest was good. He is another who can be on speed and can improve again here. (2) HI LEGEND and debut maker (6) CHEONHA GEONGANG others in the frame.

Busan Race 2: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Twelve imported juveniles go around here with six racing for the first time. The six who have raced once each all did it in the same race over 1000M on October 20^th and it was (9) BEOLMAUI YEONGUNG who ran out the winner, racing on pace throughout.  They stretch out to 1200M today but there seems little reason to oppose him following up. The main danger this time could be one of the first timers. (4) BIWOL sat midfield in his trial before running on strongly to cross the line in front in a quick time. 1200M should suit first up and he can go close. (11) VICE ROYAL ran 3^rd in that October 20^th race and that’s enough to put him in the numbers here. (7) TROUBLE MARINE was 4^th and along with newcomer (8) NICE BIG GUY, is another who could trouble the scorers.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Fillies only in this maiden and (1) AUTUMN BREEZE will be hot favourite. It took her a couple of goes to figure things out, but she has posted a 3^rd and a 2^nd in her latest two at 1300M and 1200M, both times racing on pace and both in quick times. She draws very nicely again and won’t need to improve much to win this. (3) SANGIM STAR has shown steady improvement across three appearances so far, most recently a runner-up finish at this distance on October 20^th when handy throughout. She can be in the mix here. She will be vying for 2^nd-favourite status with (2) UNJU TWO HEARTS. She too has a 2^nd place on her resume which came back in August over this distance. She followed up with a 4^th place on October 20^th in a stronger race than this and she should be there or thereabouts again. (6) LUCKY HIT and (9) WONDERFUL KAYLAN others in the frame.

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Two standouts here who come in off identical results on their respective debuts. (10) BEAT DRAGON had hinted at having some speed in his trials and he came from off the pace to run 4^th on debut over 1200M on October 27^th. He was doing his best work late and the step up to 1400M should suit. (2) HI WINNER was also 4^th on debut, in her case on October 29^th when settling midfield and running on over 1200M. She too should have come on for that experience and can also appreciate the additional furlong. (5) SSING GA will need a line drawn through her latest, but she has a runner-up finish to her name over 1300M and on that form she can be competitive here. (11) ILNYEOM SINHWA and (6) TODAY QUEEN are others in the placing frame.

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 9 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Juvenile maidens in the opener. After winning a late August trial, (6) WORLD DRAGON debuted over 1200M on October 8^th and beat three of today’s rivals when a front-running 3^rd in a decent time. He should have come on for the run, he’ll be on pace again, and he can win. Debut-maker (5) VALHALLA led all the way in his trial, stopping the clock in a good time. It was only last Saturday so as long as he didn’t leave his race there, he can go well first-up. (4) BINNANEUNGIL has two 4^th places and a 2^nd in three outings to date. Last time out he led over 1400M before fading late and he should be in the mix here. (8) SUCCESS BAEKPA was 4^th behind World Dragon in that October 8^th race and can get close again. (3) BROWN FALCON another seemingly on the right trajectory.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Standard maiden here. (5) STRIKE ZONE has a 4^th, a 3^rd, and a 2^nd from three starts so far with that latter being his most recent on October 27^th when on pace throughout before going down to a good winner. He comes up to 1300M for the first time, he should be on pace again, and he can go one better again. (7) MOST RAPID led for the first tie on October 13^th over 1400M, ultimately staying on for 2^nd. He ran 5^th on a previous try at this distance and should be in the mix today. (1) DOCTOR CAPTAIN overcame gate eleven to run a fair 5^th in a decent time at 1200M three weeks ago. He draws much better today, and a similar run can see him in the finish this time. (8) DORAON ZETTA and (9) GEUMSON CLASS others in the minor money hunt.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Juvenile maiden fillies. (7) ALICE MARINE has shown signs of figuring things out in her latest two with a 3^rd and a 4^th, both at this distance in both in fair times having been ridden forward. She’ll be on or close to the pace here, Seo Seung-un climbs on, and she has as good a chance as any. The main danger is (5) ROAD STAR. Another front-runner, she has posted consistent times at 1000M and then at 1200M. She’ll be competing for the lead from the start and will be in this a long way. (6) SMART SMILE was a much-improved 3^rd at start number two on over this distance on October 20^th when settling back and running on and she can build on that here. (10) PERFECT WINNER and (9) CHOEGANG WEEK among others in the hunt.

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(6) WONDERFUL IMPACT has finished between 3^rd and 5^th on no fewer than six occasions from ten starts including her last start 4^th over this distance when settling just behind the speed and finishing off well. Antonio Da Silva, in town to ride in Sunday’s Group race, is aboard and in this company, she can win. She’ll be favourite, ahead of (3) DAEHO PREDATOR, who despite only just scarping through a qualifying trial debuted well in late September, settling back and running on for 5^th over this trip. He should have benefitted from the experience and can get closer this time. (1) CHEONSU SIDAE pulled out a career best 4^th last time out at big odds and coming from well off the pace and beating a couple of these. An apprentice keeps the weight down and a repeat or better isn’t impossible. (5) MIRACULUM and (4) AQUARIUS others in the placing frame.