Ilgan Sports Trophy

Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (September 28)

September racing concludes with 11 Sunday races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:05 to 16:30. The feature is the Listed Ilgan Sports Trophy in the capital. Here are the previews:

Wonpyeong Storm goes around in the last (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens although all but two have raced before. (12) EVERY TIME debuted on August 30th and from a wide draw settled handy and ran on to run 2nd at this distance, beating three of today’s rivals in the process. He draws even wider this time but the step up in trip can suit and he is the one to beat. (11) SEVEN KAISER led that August 30th race before ultimately finishing in 3rd place. He too should have come on for that run and while he may be more disadvantaged by the draw, he can be a danger. (10) KING MASTER has raced twice already, finishing 3rd both times at this distance. Moon Se-young stays on and with his experience and potential fitness edge, he can go close. (2) MASTER PLAN and (6) GEOSEN DOLGYEOK are others who may improve from their respective debuts.

Selections(12) Every Time (11) Seven Kaiser (10) King Master (2) Master Plan
Next Best6, 3
Fast Start2, 3, 11, 12

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

(4) STORM TROOPER has shown plenty of promise across his three starts so far, most recently beating a couple of today’s rivals when 3rd over 1300M on August 31st, leading for much of the wat. Maia has ridden him all three times and from a great draw they can lead again, and this time go all the way. (3) ECLIPSE TANGO enters off back-to-back 3rd places over this distance. He is another who likes to get forward early and he can be in this a long way. (7) AWESOME STEP was an improved 2nd over 1300M on August 17th, coming from way off the pace. The slight step up in trip can suit, and she can be a danger late on. (10) HWANGGEUM MASK and (6) SAENAE FIGHTER others in the frame.

Selections(4) Storm Trooper (3) Eclipse Tango (7) Awesome Step (10) Hwanggeum Mask
Next Best6, 5
Fast Start1, 4, 7, 11

Seoul Race 3: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(8) FUNNY TAP has a 3rd and a 2nd in two starts since being promoted to this level following a June win. They were both at this distance and both times from her favoured on pace position. She can lead here and can go one better. (11) KING WARRIOR comes up in class having scored over 1300M on August 17th when leading all the way around. He has the challenge of the widest gate, but he comes down 3kg in weight and he can measure up. (2) ORANGE TIME is a two-time winner at this distance and enters off a smart 2nd at this class on August 2nd. He likes to come from off the pace and can be a late danger. (7) CANVASEN GO and (10) GIANT BOSS others to consider on at least a place line.

Selections(8) Funny Tap (11) King Warrior (2) Orange Time (7) Canvasen Go
Next Best10, 9
Fast Start4, 6, 8, 11

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(10) JUST SHINY has mixed his form over five outings to date but has a 2nd and most recently a 3rd place to his name, scored at 1300M on August 17th when handy throughout. The draw shouldn’t be much of a concern, Seo Seung-un stays on, and he can win here. (5) JIJONSANBANG was 2nd on debut in June (albeit fifteen lengths behind the winner) and last time out beat a couple of these when 5th on August 31st. He tends to do his best work late and the step up in trip can suit. In a race with little in the way of early speed (3) CARAT KING, who was 4th last time out, can lead and be in this a long way. (7) SMOOTH KICK and (4) FINAL HIT others in the hunt.

Selections(10) Just Shiny (5) Jijonsanbang (3) Carat King (7) Smooth Kick
Next Best4, 6
Fast Start1, 3, 8 , 10

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

Wide open. (2) SMILE NAMSAN has raced just twice but finds herself up in class and massively up in distance after back-to-back runner-up finishes over 1200M. She comes down in the weights, draws well, and she could be shrewdly entered here. (4) X FACTOR hot his maiden win at 1400M on August 24th racing handy throughout. He is up in class and in distance but is down in weight and he can measure up. (6) GROW enters off a 3rd place at this class and distance on September 13th when coming from off the pace. She has pretty much the same weight today and she can be in the finish again. (3) BS STORM and (9) SHARKTEN are others who can be in the mix.

Selections(2) Smile Namsan (4) X Factor (6) Grow (3) BS Storm
Next Best9, 5
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 10

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(5) TRIPLE DREAM was a winner at this class in filly only company at 1200M two starts back before running a close 4th on August 29th when handy to the speed throughout. She comes up to 1400M for the first time and it could well suit. (7) YONGAM BLACK beat a couple of these on his way to a front-running 2nd at 1300M on August 9th. He was well beaten by a good winner but should be on pace again here and has every chance of going one better. (2) DOCTOR SOLAR got his maiden win over this distance on September 5th taking things up halfway home and running on. He is up in class but down 3.5kg in weight and he can be competitive again. (6) DAEGIL HERO and (11) ROAD TO HEUIMANG, the latter requiring a line through his latest, are others to keep in mind.

Selections(5) Triple Dream (7) Yongam Black (2) Doctor Solar (6) Daegil Hero
Next Best11, 10
Fast Start1, 5, 10, 11

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

(7) DRAGON KILLER has been no worse than 3rd in five starts to date and come sin following his maiden win at this distance at the end of June. That came at this class and while he is up in weight and fresh after thirteen weeks out, he can win again. (5) BEST PITCH was a winner on debut in a juvenile maiden over 1000M on August 30th, settling handy and running on. He is up in class and in trip and faces his seniors here, but he should have come on for the run, is down in weight, and can be a danger. (1) SAENAE CLASSIC has run 4th in two starts back since a nine-month layoff. Third-up he can be peaking fitness wise and can go close. (9) LALA GIRL and (11) GEUMSEONG YEOJE among other chances.

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Ilgan Sports Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (September 29)

Sunday sees 11 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00, while at Busan there are 6 races from 11:25 to 16:05. The feature race is at Seoul in the shape of the Listed Ilgan Sports Trophy. Busan, meanwhile, will host a retirement ceremony for the first horse to win the Grand Slam of Group 1 races in Korea, Winner’s Man.

Winner’s Man will be honoured with a retirement ceremony at Busan on Sunday (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens in the opener, with seven of the twelve racing for the first time. For the top choice we’ll side with experience and (9) GEOSEN GANGHO who debuted over 1000M on August 4th and raced on pace to finish 2nd, ahead of a couple of the others here, who also made their debuts. He finished off very nicely and can be expected to improve here. Among the debut-makers, the standout is (8) COMPLETE TOUGH. He won his trial in mid-August, racing handy before striking the front in the final furlong and running on pleasingly. If he brings that form to the races, he will have every chance. They will be most people’s top two but (6) HEUNGHAENG DOLPUNG looked competent enough when qualifying in the second of two trials and could put in a good showing. (4) RAON ECLIPSE and (11) CHALLAHANYEONGUNG both hinted at ability on their respective debuts, the latter behind Geosen Gangho, and can improve.

Selections(9) Geosen Gangho (8) Complete Tough (6) Heunghaeng Dolpung (4) Raon Eclipse
Next Best11, 10
Fast Start2, 8, 9, 10

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

Fillies only in this maiden and it is very competitive. (8) DAESEUNGMA comes in off back-to-back 4th place finishes, most recently at this distance on August 17th when she led for much of the way around. She should be on pace again and this time can go all the way. The most experienced in the race is (5) KYLIE. That’s not necessarily a good thing in a maiden, but going on her 2nd place two starts back, she should be firmly in this. (1) ECO WORLD enters off a spin around in the Rookie Stakes and while she only beat one home, her time was fair, and she had shown enough ability to be given her chance there. This is far more amenable company. (2) ARCH DAY was 3rd on debut and should have come on for the run while (10) DIA ROOK is another coming in off a last start placing and can be considered.

Selections(8) Daeseungma (5) Kylie (1) Eco World (2) Arch Day
Next Best10, 9
Fast Start2, 5, 6, 8

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maiden fillies with ten of the twelve racing for the first time. (6) CRUELLA was slow on debut in June finishing last of eight, but she has since been through two trials on July 20th and August 17th, posting quick times in both and finishing 2nd (albeit well back behind an experienced horse) in the latter. She has as good a chance as any here. (1) B.K MAGIC led for most of her trial, ultimately crossing the line in 3rd. She draws nicely to lead again here and can be in this a long way. (9) WORLD TAEYANG was slow away on debut over 1000M on September 6th but did run on pleasingly enough. She should have benefitted from the experience and the additional furlong may suit. (4) DOLPHIN KICK and (8) NAMYANG RUBY other first timers who hinted at ability in their respective trials.

Selections(6) Cruella (1) B.K Magic (9) World Taeyang (4) Dolphin Kick
Next Best8, 2
Fast Start1, 5, 6, 11

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

Competitive maiden. (11) SPLENDID was slow away on debut before finishing 6th and was then an improved 4th at start number two at this distance on August 24th, settling midfield and running on. The wide draw shouldn’t pose too many problems and third up, he can win here. (10) ELDORADO HEUNGBU is also third-up, having improved significantly when 3rd at this distance on August 31st. Both times he has settled right back before running on and he can be a danger late. (6) SOFT POWER came from off the pace to run 2nd at this trip on August 24th on what was her fifth career start. She has since been back to trial, in which she performed fairly, and can be a danger here. Those three have all come from behind in their races so if you prefer a front-runner, (5) CHRYSOL MAJOR may be the one from a good gate. (4) EAGLE WINGS the best of the rest.

Selections(11) Splendid (10) Eldorado Heungbu (6) Soft Power (5) Chrysol Major
Next Best4, 8
Fast Start3, 5, 8, 9

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

(3) PEACE BE WITH YOU has raced three times so far with her best being her latest when 3rd over 1300M on August 16th having settled midfield and run on well. She draws nicely, the step up to the mile should suit, and she shapes as the one to beat. (8) GOLDEN NICE came from well off the pace to run 3rd over 1400M on August 30th. That equaled her best finish in nine starts and while she only managed 5th on her previous try at this distance, she is ready for another shot here. (9) HI LEGEND enters off a 2nd place at 1200M on August 25th. The distance is the question here but Tanaka getting on offers some cause for optimism. (4) DREAMING BOY has a 3rd place and the quickest time among these for a mile and that’s enough to put him in the mix. (10) HEUIMANG YEOSIN another in the hunt.

Selections(3) Peace Be With You (8) Golden Nice (9) Hi Legend (4) Dreaming Boy
Next Best10, 2
Fast Start1, 3, 4, 10

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

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Nut Play Lands Ilgan Sports Trophy

Nut Play franked the form of this year’s Triple Crown races by winning the Listed Ilgan Sports Trophy at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Nut Play wins the Ilgan Sports Trophy (Pic: KRA)

Nut Play (by Colors Flying) was 4th in the KRA Cup Mile and then 3rd in both the Korean Derby and Minister’s Cup, an overall 2nd place in the Triple Crown series behind double Classic winner Global Hit

Nut Play (Pic: KRA)

On Sunday Nut Play joined several others who came out of the Triple Crown, including Derby runner-up Naol Sniper, contesting the Ilgan Sports Trophy over the same Derby distance of 1800M.

Nut Play and Antonio Da Silva in the Ilgan Sports Winner’s Circle (Pic: KRA)

Under Antonio Da Silva, Nut Play, who raced much more prominently than he had in the Classic races, proved too strong late on, finishing three-quarters-of-a-length in front of the fast-finishing Yongam Boss with Ultra Galaxy in 3rd and Naol Sniper, who had led for much of the way, in 4th.

Next weekend Triple Tiara winner Jeulgeounyeojeong is expected to be in action as the Queens’ Tour Fall & Winter series gets underway with the Jeju Governor’s Cup (1400M KOR-G3) at Seoul on Sunday.

Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (September 17)

There are Sunday cards at Seoul (11 races from 10:35 to 18:00) and at Busan (6) races from 11:50 to 16:35). The highlight is the Listed Ilgan Sports Trophy at Seoul over 1800M, which features several of the capital’s better three-year-olds taking on older horses. Here are the previews:

It’s unlikely any of the Ilgan Sports Trophy contenders will complete the 1800M as quick as Crown Pride did last week (Pic: Ross Holburt/KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maidens in the opener with seven of the ten racing for the first time. We’ll put experience on top though and (4) GEOLJAK SKY, who debuted on August 12th, running 4th of eleven over 1000M (that race’s winner, Blue Lemon is scheduled to have been in action on Saturday). She should have derived benefit from the experience and with some natural improvement, is the one to beat. (2) RAON TIMOTH won his trial in good order settling handy and going clear, beating a couple of today’s rivals in a fair time. He’ll probably start as favourite. (9) SAHARAMOND trialled up 2nd behind Raon Timoth, two-and-a-half lengths in arrears but showed enough to suggest he can go well first-up. (3) MIGHTY CAP was just a neck behind in 4th and she too can be considered. Returning to the experienced ones, (5) ILINX has raced twice, improving in his second outing, and can continue to make progress here.

Selections(4) Geoljak Sky (2) Raon Timoth (9) Sharamond (3) Mighty Cap
Next Best5, 8
Fast Start2, 3, 4, 7

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

Maiden fillies and a couple of standouts. (4) HAENGBOK YEOWANG has raced eleven times without breaking through but enters with her recent form reading well including a 2nd and a 3rd from her latest two, both at this distance. Her times haven’t been quick, but she might not need to be too quick here and from a good gate, can sit off the speed and then grind away in the straight. The main danger is (10) ARCH CLASS. She has raced just twice, improving to 2nd in the most recent on August 26th when handy throughout. She may have more potential for improvement than Haengbok Yeowang and while she has to contend with the wide draw, can go one better. (2) RAON SPIKE raced twice last year, finishing 3rd on debut. She returns here after forty-nine weeks out, but trialled fairly last month and this is a nice first-up assignment. (1) YEJIMONG and (9) MO CHUISLE others in the placing frame.

Selections(4) Haengbok Yeowang (10) Arch Class (2) Raon Spike (1) Yejimong
Next Best9, 5
Fast Start2, 8, 9, 10

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(1) HAENGUN BARAM has hinted at ability across five starts to date. Her best was a runner-up finished back in April, but she comes in following a useful 4th place at 1300M on August 27th when, as is her style, she went right back, before running on. The step up to 1400M can suit, and she has as good a chance as any here. (2) SAVANA CHARLIE is the main danger. He is yet to finish in the top-two but has been in the top-five on nine out of ten starts (including a remarkable seven 4th place finishes). From a good draw, he should be on pace and can be in this a long way. (8) SAEROUN BITKKAL beat Savana Charlie as the pair ran 2nd and (where else?) 4th at this distance on August 20th. He can go close again. (6) FIRST CHOUX and (7) HEART SIGNAL others in the placing hunt.

Selections(1) Haengun Baram (2) Savana Charlie (8) Saeroun Bitkkal (6) First Choux
Next Best7, 5
Fast Start2, 3, 5, 6

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(9) WITH STAR comes in having run 3rd and 4th in her latest two at 1400M and a mile, beating a few of these in the process. She can settle behind the speed here and should prove too strong at the business end of the race. (4) WISE BOY returns to action for the first time since March. He has a runner-up finish to his name over this distance and looked well when leading an August trial, ultimately finishing 2nd in a quick time. He will need this but can be close first-up. (8) FLYING AARON was 6th to With Star’s 4th when they raced one another at a mile on August 25th. Franco climbs on here and he can go closer. (3) LUCKY BRAND and (2) AQUARIUS are among plenty of others with minor money claims.

Selections(9) With Star (4) Wise Boy (8) Flying Aaron (3) Lucky Brand
Next Best2, 5
Fast Start1, 4, 6, 7

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(5) THEME TANSAENG has steadily improved across six starts so far culminating in a 4th and a 3rd from his latest two over 1200M and 1400M. In those two, he has raced on or close to the pace and similar tactics can be expected here. He is the one to beat. (11) BANFF has shown promise across five starts so far with the best being a runner-up finish over 1200M in March. He has consistently posted good times at the shorter distance and has a smart finish on him so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and he can challenge late. (1) BRIGHT WINNER has two 4th places among four outings. She draws nicely here and will probably be on the early pace with prospects to stay in it a long way. (4) GREEN BULPAE and (10) GEOMOON among others with placing chances.

Selections(5) Theme Tansaeng (11) Banff (1) Bright Winner (4) Green Bulpae
Next Best10, 6
Fast Start1, 5, 8, 11

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

Fillies only in this maiden and it’s hard to go past (1) POCKET MILLION. She ran 4th on debut in July over 1000M and then followed up by beating some of these on her way to 3rd place over 1200M on August 20th. She raced on pace both times so draws very nicely to get the lead again and she will take some beating. (9) QUEEN AND SERVE will be the second pick for most. She ran 3rd at start number two before finishing 4th behind Pocket Million in that August 20th race. She was only a head in arrears so while she draws wide and Pocket Million appears to have more potential for immediate improvement, she can be taken seriously. (2) DAY BY DAY has shown signs of figuring things out in her latest couple and can go close. (4) YONGBI KHAN and (3) FIRST MENI the other minor money hopes.

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Ilgan Sports Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (July 10)

The Listed Ilgan Sports Trophy is the feature race on a day where there are 10 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 and 7 at Busan from 11:35 to 17:05. Here are the previews:

Last year’s Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup winner Eodigana is among those in the Ilgan Sports Trophy (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Tricky maiden to open with. Without too much confidence, we’ll side with (5) LONDON MYEONGGA. He has hinted at figuring out what to do in his latest two, running 5th both times over 1300M and 1200M. Moon Se-young getting booked today may suggest this is his time. (1) PERFECT TIME was a significantly improved 2nd when stepped up to this trip on June 5th. She settled back and ran on well in a fair time that time and won’t need to improve much to go very close here. (7) GLOBAL STORM ran a solid 3rd at this distance on June 11th and from a similar gate and against similar calibre opposition can be competitive again. (6) RESERVED JOHN and (3) LAST CALL others to consider.

Selections(5) London Myeongga (1) Perfect Time (7) Global Storm (6) Reserved John
Next Best3, 2
Fast Start1, 5, 7, 8

Seoul Race 2: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Competitive race featuring six fillies and one gelding. (2) BAEKDU MIIN ran out a very pleasing gate to wire winner over this distance on debut on May 28th, overcoming a wide draw to lead. She comes up in class here but is down in weights and comes into a better gate with solid claims of maintaining her 100% record. The primary danger is (4) OLD START who comes back in trip having led for much of the way around 1400M at his latest outing on May 14th. He has run good times at this distance and will be expected to be on the lead again here. (3) NANA LAND too is another who has put in some decent times at the distance and while she can get a bit far back in her races, should be competitive here. (5) GO GO STAR beat Nana Land when they faced one another on June 11th. That was an uptick on recent form, but she shouldn’t be ruled out. (7) HAPPY NEWMA comes up in class off a slightly unexpected all the way win over this distance back in April and may measure up.

Selections(2) Baekdu Miin (4) Old Start (3) Nana Land (5) Go Go Star
Next Best7, 6
Fast Start2, 4, 5, 7

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Seven juveniles make their racecourse debuts here so it’s to the trial videos that we head. We find that (6) GOLD ROSE was the most convincing in her heat, making all to cross the line well ahead of the rest in a fair time over the 1000M. If she brings that form to the races, she will be hard to beat. (5) BUILD UP ran 2nd in his trial but it was in a time almost as fast as that of Gold Rose. He settled back and ran on and is set for a bold showing first-up. (7) I’M KING IJI made all to win his heat. The time was touch slower than some of today’s rivals but nevertheless, he di what he needed to do and should have come on for the experience. (3) PISTOL STAR posted the quickest time of any of them in trials. It was a fast heat on a wet track but should stand him in good stead here. (1) THUNDER CROWN didn’t disgrace himself either and draws nicely on debut.

Selections(6) Gold Rose (5) Build Up (7) I’m King Iji (3) Pistol Star
Next Best1, 5
Fast Start2, 3, 6, 7

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Three main ones in the frame here but his last start 2nd at class and distance is enough to tip the balance toward (3) NAMSAN CHOCOLATE. She does come up in the weights by 2kg from that day when she settled behind the lead and ran on behind a good winner, but that’s balanced a little by a better gate and today can be here day. (7) TIZ SUCCESS comes up in class following a 2nd place on debut followed by a win, both at today’s distance. She has raced handy to the lead both times and while this is harder, she is lightly weighted and can measure up in this company. (8) BLUE CHARM is yet to win in fifteen starts but has been consistently close. He comes back in trip and should be a danger here running on. (1) M J TIME and (5) GOLDEN SCOOP, who has won a trial since her latest outing, are others to consider.

Selections(3) Namsan Chocolate (7) Tiz Success (8) Blue Charm (1) M J Time
Next Best5, 4
Fast Start1, 3, 5, 7

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

After an indifferent debut, (6) HANEUL JILJU has, over three subsequent outings, looks very much as though she is working towards a maiden win with a 4th, 3rd and a 2nd. She has led in all those races, will surely do so again here, and this time she should come out on top. It took (1) PHANTOM QUEEN a little bit longer to show that she is figuring things out but her form in her latest two certainly reads well with a 4th and a 3rd. She doesn’t benefit from an apprentice claim today but that’s countered by having Seo Seung-un climb aboard and she should be running on late. (5) SIMON TOP GUN has mixed her form across her thirteen starts so far. She is yet to finish in the top-three but has plenty of minor money finishes and in this company can be looking for a best result to date. (2) DOCTOR PERSIA and (4) BOOMY STAR others who may be competitive.

Selections(6) Haneul Jilju (1) Phantom Queen (5) Simon Top Gun (2) Doctor Persia
Next Best4, 9
Fast Start3, 5, 6, 9
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