Ilgan Sports

Ilgan Sports Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (July 21)

Sunday racing sees both Seoul (11 races from 10:45 to 18:00) and Busan (6 races from 12:40 to 17:10) in action. The feature event is at Seoul with the Listed Ilgan Sports Cup over 1800M. Sports Chosun winner Burui Gori looks set to be favourite to defeat largely the same set of rivals as before in the 1800M feature. Race-by-race for Seoul is below with Busan selections at the bottom:

Burui Gori Sports Chosun

Burui Gori will be aiming for a repeat of his Sports Chosun victory (Pic: KRA)

Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(6) YEONGGWANGUI BEAT has shown promise across three starts so far. He was slightly slow away last time but recovered to run a useful 4th and he looks primed to make the breakthrough here. Yeonggwangui Beat had been ridden in his last two starts by Moon Sung-Hyeok but today the apprentice gets on (1) CRAZY QUEEN. This filly has also looked to have some potential with a couple of near-misses and under a light weight here, can go close. (2) GOLD LEVEL weakened having led last start but is worth another chance here while (5) CHOEGANG SINGI and (8) BAEKDU GEOPO are others with placing chances.

Selections (6) Yeonggwangui Beat (1) Crazy Queen (2) Gold Level (5) Cheogang Singi
Next Best 8, 7
Fast Start 1, 2, 9

Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Fillies only here competing for a big prize over the 1300M and a decent set of them have been attracted. Having run 4th on debut, (8) MIGHTY LUCK put in a dominating eleven-length sore on her re-appearance at this distance in early June. She’s up in class today but the manner of that victory suggests there is plenty more to come from here. It took (1) BANGTANMA ten goes to get her maiden win and she followed it up with unsuccessful, yet credible tilts at both the Korean Oaks and the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cups. She’s back in more amenable company today and back at the trip she won at so she should be a big danger. (7) SINGGEUREOUN TIME already has a 2nd and a 3rd to her name at class and distance and can maintain her consistent record here. (10) WHITE QUEEN was a touch slow to begin on debut over this distance in late May but it didn’t stop her winning by four-lengths. This is tougher but she’s in the hunt. (5) COILRO was equally impressive when registering her first score two weeks ago. Alan Munro, who rode both, gets on Mighty Luck but don’t rule out Coilro from another good performance.

Selections (8) Mighty Luck (1) Bangtanma (5) Coilro (10) White Queen
Next Best 7, 3
Fast Start 3, 6, 8, 9

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

Wide open class 5 affair with plenty entering with their recent form reading well. However, it’s one of the few who didn’t go especially well last time, (4) SEMYEONG STORM, who has as good a chance as any. He was a little one-paced when well back over 1300M four weeks ago, but it wasn’t a bad run and it was in stiffer company than this. He’s drawn better to get on speed today and he can win. (11) LAO JIN is the model of consistency, having run 3rd in each of his latest three starts. The wide draw is not a problem and she can maintain her good record here. (5) QUEEN FORCE ONE beat Lao Jin a couple of starts back and should be in the hunt today as well. (7) AUSPICE is up in class and distance after a good maiden win over five furlongs last start. (10) CHEONNYEONUI BARAM similarly comes in off a first victory and while it won’t be so easy for him to get to the front today, it’s not impossible.

Selections (4) Semyeong Strom (7) Auspice (11) Lao Jin (5) Queen Force One
Next Best 10, 6
Fast Start 4, 5, 7, 9

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

(2) TAEPUNG EYES has plenty of experience at this level and comes in having run 2nd to Victory King in what was arguably a better class and distance race than this on June 15th. That was despite having a warning issued against him for hanging inwards in the home straight. If he fixes his manners today, he has solid claims. (1) CANNON SHOOTER was 6th in that same race and can get closer this time although a more serious threat is likely to be the up in class (7) DAEGUN POWER. He produced a front-running performance to register his maiden win last start four weeks ago and looks to have plenty of potential for further development. (3) IL MARE got a poor trip last time out but still managed to run 5th in a decent affair. From gate three, he’ll be on speed. (8) FOR J.K, another who didn’t have the best of luck on her most recent appearance, looks best of the rest.

Selections (2) Taepung Eyes (7) Daegun Power (3) Il Mare (8) For J.K.
Next Best 10, 1
Fast Start 1, 3, 11

Race 5: Class 6 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(8) CHUNGDAM HORANGI beat three of these on his way to 3rd place at this distance on June 23rd. That was just his third career start and he is evidently still learning but he looks to have wins in him, and it would be a surprise if the first of them wasn’t here. (1) HANEOL STAR was 4th in that race and looks the one most likely to emerge as a serious contender here. However, the biggest threats most likely didn’t go in that race. (3) MANSEOK JIGI steps up in trip after an excellent 3rd place over 1300M three weeks ago. (more…)

Jangsan Power Clings On In Ilgan Sports Cup

Jangsan Power led from the gate and clung on desperately until the wire to win the listed Ilgan Sports Cup at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

The Ilgan Sports this year was for horses rated 80 or less and up-and-comer Big Trio was sent off as favourite having won his last three with considerable ease. It was not to be for the three-year-old though with French jockey Johan Victoire needing to get after his mount early and Big Trio ultimately offering little in the straight.

Instead it was another three-year-old who took the honours. Jangsan Power had set the early pace in the Korean Derby in May, leading until just before the furlong pole when he ran out of steam and ended up only beating one home. He stepped back to 1700M for his reappearance last month and made all and was sent off the 5/1 second favourite for the Ilgan.

Once more Jangsan Power made all but he had to see off a last gasp challenge from My Blade who gobbled up his lead in the closing stages to the extent that a photograph was needed to tell them apart. It went Jangsan Power’s way by a nose but a couple of strides later, it wouldn’t have. Gaia Thunder was in close attendance in 3rd.

IlganPhoto

On the line, Jangsan Power still had a nose in hand of My Blade

Jangsan Power moves on to five wins from nine starts. For trainer Park Jae Woo it was his third Listed or Special race winner. For jockey Lim Gi Won it was his second following his victory on Always Winner in the Segye Ilbo Cup in January.

Ilgan Sports (L) – Seoul Racecourse – 1800M – July 30, 2017

1. Jangsan Power (KOR) [Menifee – City Bird (Carson City)] – Lim Gi Won – 5.5, 2.2
2. My Blade (KOR) [Pico Central – Smart Advice (Smart Strike)] – Kim Yong Geun – 2.4
3. Gaia Thunder (KOR) [One Cool Cat – Now Cope With This (Tiznow)] – Yoo Seung Wan – 4.0
Distances: Nose / 0.75 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Kawon 5. Perfect Shine 6. Raon Morris 7. Big Trio 8. Yeongnong 9. Royal Victory 10. Haetbinna

Seoul will take next weekend off but Busan will return for a rare Saturday card on August 5th and a bumper 15-race card on Sunday August 6. For the first time next Sunday, Korean racing will be available for betting in the United States, distributed to ADW’s through Sky Racing World. More on that in the coming days.

Seoul Sunday: Race-By-Race Preview (July 30)

The Ilgan Sports Cup takes centre-stage at Seoul on Sunday. It’s part of a 14-race card from 11:45 to 19:00. English racecards can be found here. Notes on all overseas simulcast races can be found below:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

1. JIGONG JILJU – Showed early but faded in both starts so far. Likely to be on speed again but an outsider.
2. CHOICE BLUE – Debut-maker. Took him plenty of tries to qualify and he can’t be backed first-up.
3. JANGSAN JEGUK – Solid 3rd on debut on July 1st ahead of a couple of these. Big chance here.
4. BLACK CASHMERE – Comes in following two consecutive 3rd place finishes and a win looks just a matter of time. On speed early under good jockey booking.
5. WINNING WIN – First-timer, he’s by a Korean Derby winner but didn’t exactly impress in trials. One to watch rather than back first up.
6. GASOK SHINHWA – Debut-maker. She came through a couple of trials, actually finishing 2nd in one. Slow time though and outsider today.
7. GEUMBIT HWANHYANG – 7th of 9 on debut behind Jangsan Jeguk and Raise Me Up. Should improve for that run.
8. MORAN DONGBEAK – First-time starter. Average in trials and won’t be hugely well backed here.
9. KKEULEOJUNEUN SON – 3rd on debut in quick race over this distance on June 24th. Strong claims today.
10. BOMBI’S KING – Improved 3rd last start at 1300M. Drops back to the minimum for the first time since debut and can go well again.
11. GIDONG DAEJANG – Only beat a couple home on debut and has plenty to find.
12. RAISE ME UP – 4th behind Jangsan Jeguk on first ever start at the beginning of this month and can look to at least match that today. Half-brother to Korean Derby winner.

Verdict: (9) KKEULEOJUNEUN SON and (3) JANGSAN JEGUK were both 3rd in their respective debut races and they look the top picks here with former the choice to prevail. (12) RAISE ME UP was 4th, just a neck behind Jangsan Jeguk on what was her debut too (more…)

Yeongsan Too Good

Yeongsan strolled to victory for the 6th time in 6 starts in Korea, securing his second Stakes win in the process, in the Ilgan Sports Trophy at Seoul Racecourse this afternoon.

Yeongsan II and Moon Se Young after winning the Ilgan Sports

Yeongsan II and Moon Se Young after winning the Ilgan Sports

Unsurprisingly for a horse who had won his 5 previous starts by a combined margin of 53 lengths, Yeongsan was sent off the long odds-on favourite – indeed at 1.0, all that punters who backed him could hope for, was to get their money back.

At least they were never in any danger of losing it. Moon Se Young brought Yeongsan to the front early and controlled the race, accelerating away from the field in the home stretch and then easing down for a 7-length win on the line.

Pretty sure Se Young only did this because K-Pop girl group Dal Shabet were looking on

Pretty sure Se Young only did this because K-Pop girl group Dal Shabet were looking on

Yeongsan (Menifee) – who is officially known as “Yeongsan II” as there was an Australian filly of the same name in Korea 15 years ago – was exported to Malaysia as a 2-year-old but returned a year later. Yet to be seriously challenged by anything domestically, his next target is expected to be the President’s Cup, Korea’s richest race, in November and then a possible shot at the Grand Prix Stakes a month later.

Ilgan Sports Trophy – Seoul Racecourse – 1800M – September 14, 2014

1. Yeongsan II (KOR) [Menifee – Foxxy Cleo (Peintre Celebre)] – Moon Se Young – 1.0, 1.0
2. Citadel (KOR) [Sakura Seeking – Tropic (Danehill)] – Seo Seung Un – 1.6
3. K-Man (KOR) [Volponi – Sash Of Silver (Woodman)] – 1.5
Distances: 7 lengths / 2.5 lengths – 11 ran

* Speaking of the Grand Prix, a former winner was in action at Busan today. However, it didn’t go well for Gamdonguibada (Werblin) who, despite being sent off as a short-price favourite, was beaten a length and a half by old favourite Lion Santa (Lion Heart).

Now 6-years-old, Lion Santa won his first 9 starts back in 2010 and 2011. While never really being able to go on and win the very biggest races, he’s been a solid money winner since and his victory today was his 13th from 30 lifetime starts.

And it is at Busan where the focus will be next week when the southern track hosts the Busan Owners’ Cup. Magic Dancer, Gyeongbudaero, Joy Lucky – and back from his US jaunt – Major King, are among the entrants for this Busan vs Seoul race.

Tongjesa, Alpha Myeongjang Step Up

Three-Year Olds On Form

Judgement is being well and truly reserved over this year’s crop of three-year olds. Gyeongbudaero won the KRA Cup Mile in April but did little else before finishing second to Dangdae Bulpae in last week’s Owners’ Cup. Likewise Derby winner Jigeum I Sungan came back into form last week for the first time since his Classic victory.

As for the rest, there’s not been much to cheer so far. However, today two colts who have been kept off the Classic trail were in fine form at Seoul and Busan respectively. Tongjesa scored a convincing win in the Ilgan Sports Stakes in the capital, while down on the South Coast, Alpha Myeongjang was similarly convincing in seeing off a class 1 field.

Tongjesa (Creek Cat) was sent off as the even-money favourite for the Ilgan Sports, which was run over the Derby distance of 1800 metres. Under Oh Kyoung Hoan he was kept close to the lead throughout and took control with two furlongs to go, crossing the line with plenty in hand of fast finishing Yaho Pilseung (Exploit) in second.

With six wins from nine Korea starts and, more relevantly, five consecutively now, Tongjesa must be considered for the Minister’s Cup. the final leg of the Triple Crown, in a month’s time.

Ilgan Sports Stakes – Seoul Race Park – 1800M – September 16, 2012

1. Tongjesa (KOR) [Creek Cat – Namdoui Gangja (Greenwood Lake)] – Oh Kyoung Hoan – 2.1, 1.2
2. Yaho Pilseung (KOR) [Exploit – Pilseung Gangja (Adjudicating)] – Lee Sang Hyeok – 2.3
3. Jeumeundeungi (KOR) [War Zone – Taraxacum (Meadowlake)] – Won Jung Il – 5.2
Distances: 2 lengths/5 lengths – 12 ran

It’s unlikely that Alpha Myeongjang (Pico Central) will be joining him in the capital next month, however, as for now he looks like a sprinter. A very good one too. Today he went 1400 metres and looked very comfortable in putting four lengths into a class 1 field.

It was another big feature race win for Gerrit Schlechter, following his Gold Circle Trophy victory on Fine Fine last week. The South African jockey has picked up where he left off following his immigration department-enforced break last month and is the man to beat at Busan at the moment.

One man who can beat him is Joe Fujii. The Japanese jockey with the Australian accent was on target twice today to add to his winner on Friday.