There may not have been a Triple Crown at stake, but a “Double Crown” was secured on Sunday afternoon as KRA Cup winner and Korean Derby 3rd placegetter Funny Wild added the final jewel of the series, the Minister’s Cup (2000M KOR-G2), to his collection at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon. But there was controversy behind with the second and third placings reversed in the Stewards’ room.
Sent off among a full field of sixteen as the 2.5 market favourite, despite doubts over his staying ability after a lackluster final furlong in the Korean Derby, jockey Seo Seung-un was able to ease Funny Wild from an excellent draw in gate six to sit behind early pacesetter Clutch Magic. Funny Wild took the lead as Clutch Magic faded in the early home straight and he stayed on to grind out a half-length victory.
“I wasn’t confident about this one” winning jockey Seo Seung-un admitted to KRBC. “It was a very competitive race, and I thought there were any number of possible winners, so I had to ride hard, and the horse was able to keep going all the way. As expected, the horse on the inside (Clutch Magic) led and I was able to settle in 2nd, and it was smooth from there.”
“I still have some regrets about the Korean Derby, we got a bad draw and then some bad luck between the first and second corners, but we were able to avoid all that today.” As for the future, Seo was circumspect. “He is good, but he was against other three-year-olds here. It will be challenging when he faces older horses.”
The drama was behind though. Breedo Sol got the closest to Funny Wild, just half a length in arrears on the line, however, in his drive for the finish, jockey Jung Do-yun had allowed his charge to veer across and into the path of Mr. Taeyang, who was finishing the fastest of any in the field. An Inquiry was called and with the margin between the pair only a neck, the placings were reversed. A blameless DOCTOR CHRIS, the disappointment of the Derby a month ago, was a close 4th.
Funny Wild was perhaps fortunate. Even with the interference from Breedo Sol, Mr. Taeyang, completed the final furlong more than half a second faster than the winner and jockey Choi Bum-hyun was of the opinion that he could have won: “Ultimately it is a part of racing, a loss is a loss, and this is one of many ways to lose a race. But of course, I wonder what could have been if not for the interference.”
Jung Do-yun, who was adjudged to have caused the interference on Breedo Sol accepted responsibility and the resulting five-day ban. “I didn’t mean to do it, but I was only focused on winning and I lost my line.” Jung was also keen to talk up his mount. “(Breedo Sol) is talented. He is light on his feet, has good balance and he stayed really well. We have to settle for 3rd this time, but I am excited about his future.”
Funny Wild is by Bayern and out of Funny Sunny (by Sharp Humor). He was bred by his owner Choi Sang-il, who stands Bayern at Great Hill Farm on Jeju Island. He is trained at Busan by Choi Ki-hong, of Winner’s Man fame.
Next weekend the filly Triple Crown reaches its conclusion with the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) at Seoul. Only ten remain in the field but they do include the Korean Oaks winner Catch Race.
Horse Racing in Korea 