KRA Cup Mile

Triple Crown 2015: Rafale Roars To KRA Cup Mile Glory

If we are to have a Triple Crown winner this year, it will be a colt by the name of Rafale. The co-favourite took out the first jewel, the KRA Cup Mile at Busan Racecourse this afternoon, getting the best of a keenly fought stretch duel with Doraon Hyeonpyo.

If ever there was going to be a race in which it was hard to look past the favourites, this was it with several of the field, including the two visitors from Seoul, never looking likely to be able to handle what was sure to be a quick pace. So it proved.

Yuseong Fighting and the other co-favourite, Doraon Hyeonpyo would set the early pace and were joined briefly at the front by Summit Myeongun. Rafale, however, was in close attendance and while others would challenge, by the furlong pole it was clear that it would be the two market leaders who would battle it out.

With Rafale on the rail and Doraon Hyeonpyo in the center of the track, it was Rafale, urged on by jockey You Hyun Myung, who took the spoils by half a length. Behind them Yeongcheon Ace just edged out the fast finishing Yeonggwanguitaepung for 3rd. Both must be under consideration for the Derby.

Behind them, it was carnage, with gaps of 4, 5, 7 and 10 lengths among the distances separating the rest of the field. The leaders truly outclassed the rest.

For trainer Kim Jae Sub, it was his second KRA Cup Mile in three years following Sting Ray’s victory in 2013. Jockey You Hyun Myung was riding his first Classic winner and the second biggest win of his career following Mister Park in the 2010 Grand Prix Stakes.

As for Doraon Hyeonpyo, Rafale remains the only horse to have beaten him. Indeed, Rafale now leads 2-1 in their head to heads having previously triumphed in the Gyeongnam Sinmun Cup last October. However, it was Doraon Hyeonpyo who came out on top when they met in the Breeders’ Cup in Seoul. When they reconvene in the capital for the Korean Derby six weeks today, will it become 2-2?

KRA Cup Mile (KOR G2) – Busan Racecourse – 1600M – April 5, 2015

1. Rafale (KOR) [Colors Flying – Dongbang Choego (Al Naba)] – You Hyun Myung
2. Doraon Hyeonpyo (KOR) [Colors Flying – Kilcoe Castle (Gone West)] – Kim Dong Young
3. Yeongcheon Ace (KOR) [Menifee – Dixie Avenger (Dixie Union)] – Choi Si Dae
Distances: 0.5 lengths / 2 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Yeonggwanguitaepung (KOR) 5. Summit Myeongun (KOR) 6. Yuseong Fighting (KOR) 7. Special Line (KOR) 8. Mac And Cheese (KOR) 9. Haetbinna (KOR) 10. Namhae Sinhwa (KOR) 11. Lion Star (KOR)

Only one horse has gone on to win the Derby after winning the Cup Mile; that was the filly Sangseung Ilro in 2009. We’ll reconvene at Seoul on May 16 to find out if Rafale can join her.

Triple Crown 2015: KRA Cup Mile Full Preview

It’s time already. The first leg of the 2015 Korean Triple Crown is this coming Sunday at Busan Racecourse.

Doraon Hyeonpyo wins the Seoul Breeders' Cup in the gloom last November. Can he win the KRA Cup Mile too? (Pic: choi9036903 blog)

Doraon Hyeonpyo wins the Seoul Breeders’ Cup in the gloom last November. Can he win the KRA Cup Mile too? (Pic: choi9036903 blog)

The field is a rather disappointingly small eleven with Seoul seemingly simply not bothering with the race and sending just two sub-par entrants. The home side makes up for that though with some class acts entered.

Here is a full rundown of the field with Name [Pedigree] Sex (Starts/1st/2nd/3rd) Trainer – Jockey:

KRA Cup Mile (KOR G3) – Busan Racecourse – 1600M – April 5, 2015 – 16:35

1. Special Line [Ecton Park – Rich Musique (Rizzi)] C (9/2/2/1) Baik Kwang Yeol – Nobuyuki Oyama
As the competition has become harder this one has been found out a little and it is questionable as to whether he has the speed to compete here. He does hold a win at a mile but the time was a slow one and he has disappointed in two starts in 2015. He’ll be an outsider.

2. Rafale [Colors Flying – Dongbang Choego (Al Naba)] C (7/4/2/0) Kim Jae Sub – You Hyun Myung
He won Busan’s champion Juvenile race last October but then suffered a reverse at the hands of Doraon Hyeonpyo in the overall championship at Seoul a month later. Rafale began 2015 with a really nice looking 7-length win over 1800M but was then beaten into 4th last month oer 1900M with Yeongcheon Ace among those ahead of him. He went much further back in the field than expected that day rather than just off the early lead which is where his success has come from. He takes on a mile for the first time and a place is a minimum requirement.

3. Yuseong Fighting [Didyme – Maggie’s Prayer (Songandaprayer)] C (6/4/0/1) Choi Ki Hong – Oh Kyoung Hoan
A front-running winner of four races, he stepped up to a mile last time out and in a race where all the favourites disappointed, he was a tailed-off last. We’ll put that down as an aberration, but it doesn’t inspire much confidence here. Regular jockey Jo Sung Gon also gets off to ride Mac And Cheese.

4. Mac And Cheese [Menifee – Squared (Posse)] C (7/5/0/1) Kim Jae Sub – Jo Sung Gon
A big chance. He comes in after four consecutive victories the most recent of which was over this distance in a fast time on a wet track. He generally stalks any early leader and looks to strike the front at the top of the home straight. He is quick and Jo Sung Gon coming in to ride can only be to his benefit too. If he gets in front in the home straight, he will be difficult to go past.

5. Lion Star [Exploit – Oakmart (Unbridled’s Song] C (5/1/2/0) Shim Seung Tae – Han Sung Youl
The first of two from Seoul and there isn’t a lot to say about this one. He got his maiden win last time out in the less than exacting environs of a Seoul class 5 race and while he may go on to be a good horse, this is far too much too soon. With all due respect to Han Sung Youl, he’s come down for the riding fee.

6. Yeongcheon Ace [Menifee – Dixie Avenger (Dixie Union)] C (7/3/3/1) Baik Kwang Yeol – Choi Si Dae
One of the most eagerly awaited colts of this crop, he hasn’t disappointed and is yet to finish worse than 3rd in 7 starts. He closed strongly for 2nd place ahead of Rafale over 1900M last month which followed a smart win over 1400M in February. He can win from the front or coming from behind and should have plenty of late speed. Choi Si Dae is a big race jockey and this one will have backers.

7. Haetbinna [Didyme – Chowonui Kkum (The Groom Is Red)] C (6/2/1/0/) Yoo Jae Gil – Kim Sug Bong
This one won’t have backers. The second and final entrant from Seoul is also yet to race at a stiffer grade than class 5 and is yet to go at a distance of greater than 1300M. Again, there is potential here but not today. Just like fellow Seoul rider Han, Kim Sug Bong is in town to pick up the “away day” riding fee, not prize money.

8. Yeonggwanguitaepung [Menifee – Grand Pass (Grand Slam)] C (8/3/2/2) Kim Young Kwan – Masakazu Tanaka
The second string from the Kim Young Kwan stable, he comes in after a class 3 victory over 1800M although hw was 3rd behind Yeongcheon Ace the time before that. Another who likes to come from slightly off the pace, he has shown good speed but may find one or two a little bit too quick in this field.

9. Namhae Sinhwa [Vicar – Intriga (Lord At Law)] C (7/3/3/0) Lim Keum Man – Kanichiro Fujii
Regular jockey You Hyun Myung has opted to ride Rafale here but there’s an able replacement in the shape of Joe Fujii. he hasn’t run since the end of January when he was 2nd in a slowly run race over this distance. That came after back to back front-running victories over 1300M and 1400M. Talented but is going to need to be much quicker today.

10. Doraon Hyeonpyo [Colors Flying – Kilcoe Castle (Gone West)] C (6/5/1/0) Kwan Seung Joo – Kim Dong Young
The champion juvenile following victory over Rafale in Seoul last November. He’s run just the once since then and it was a mightily impressive 9-length procession against class 2 opposition over this distance. On paper, he wins out on almost all indicators although the almost three months he’s had off since that run may sow some doubt. Rafale is the only horse to beat him so far, that was in the Busan Juvenile race last October. Anything that beats him here, should be winning.

11. Summit Myeongun [Menifee – Summit Party (Ecton Park)] C (8/4/1/2) Kim Young Kwan – Kim Yong Geun
Kim Young Kwan’s first-string, he was 3rd behind Doraon Hyeonpyo and Rafale in Seoul last November. He’s won both his two starts since then, both of them at 1400M, most recently three weeks ago when he closed strongly to beat an experienced 5-year-old by a neck. The time before, Yeongcheon Ace ran 3rd to him. He’s shown enough late speed to suggest he is very capable of going the additional furlong here.

KRA Cup Mile: Triple Crown 2015 First Preview

The first leg of the 2015 Korean Triple Crown is just over a week away. The KRA Cup Mile at Busan on April 5 is the first jewel in a series which this year will be complete by July.

image

Cheongnyong Bisang won the KRA Cup Mile for Seoul last year (KRA)

And while Cheongnyong Bisang took the honours for Seoul last year, Busan looks set to continue its ongoing domination of the big races with only two currently set to make the trip down South from the capital.

That’s an embarrassingly poor showing for Seoul and while there is respect for the connections who are actually going to have a go, those two do not exactly look like potential world-beaters.

And a crucial factor in Seoul staying away could be the strength of the line-up from the home track. There are nine in total with last year’s champion juvenile Doraon Hyeonpyo heading them. Class 2 winners Rafale and Mac And Cheese will be there too along with six other very strong contenders.

The KRA Cup Mile has been run at Busan every year since the track opened in 2005. For its first three seasons, it was a race open to older horses but in 2008, prize money was doubled and the race moved to its present spot on the calendar as the first leg of a new Triple Crown series that would incorporate horses from Busan and Seoul competing with each other for the first time.

Since then, Busan based horses have won five times while the prize been taken back to the capital on two occasions. Since the change, no horse has won all three legs of the Triple Crown. Sangseung Ilro came the closest when taking the Cup Mile and the Derby in 2009 before falling short much later in the season in the Minister’s Cup.

When J.S. Hold made a clean sweep in 2007, all three races were at Seoul.

Here are the current nominations for the race, which is restricted to Korean bred three-year-old colts and fillies. Final declarations are next Wednesday, April 1. No fools, hopefully. (Name [Sire] Sex (Runs/1st/2nd/3rd) Trainer):

KRA Cup Mile (KOR G3) – Busan Racecourse – 1600M – April 5, 2015

Busan
Doraon Hyeonpyo [Colors Flying] C (6/5/1/0) Kwan Seung Joo
Rafale [Colors Flying] C (7/4/2/0) Kim Jae Sub
Mac And Cheese [Menifee] C (7/5/0/1) Kim Jae Sub
Yeongcheon Ace [Menifee] C (7/3/3/1) Baik Kwang Yeol
Summit Myeongun [Menifee] C (8/4/1/2) Kim Young Kwan
Yuseong Fighting [Didyme] C (6/4/0/1) Choi Ki Hong
Namhae Sinhwa [Vicar] C (7/3/3/0) Lim Keum Man
Yeonggwanguitaepung [Menifee] C (8/3/2/2) Kim Young Kwan
Special Line [Ecton Park] C (9/2/2/1) Baik Kwang Yeol

Seoul
Haetbinna [Didyme] C (6/2/1/0/)  Yoo Jae Gil
Lion Star [Exploit] C (5/1/2/0) Shim Seung Tae

So Menifee again dominates in terms of numbers although Colors Flying’s first crop to reach three-years-old looks formidable. Doraon Hyeonpyo won the Breeders’ Cup race at Seoul last autumn to be crowned Champion Juvenile while Rafale beat him to win the Gyeongnam Shinmun Cup a month earlier.

We’ll have more on the build-up as the race gets closer.

Cheongnyong Bisang Dominates KRA Cup Mile

Cheongnyong Bisang showed that he was no Juvenile wonder as he landed a dominating win in the KRA Cup Mile – the Korean 2000 Guineas – at Busan this afternoon.

Cheongnyong Bisang wins the KRA Cup Mile (KRA)

Cheongnyong Bisang wins the KRA Cup Mile (KRA)

Despite having won the Breeders’ Cup and being crowned champion 2-year-old of 2013, Cheongnyong Bisang was sent off at odds of 20/1 for the first leg of the 2014 Korean Triple Crown. He duly made a mockery of those odds, stalking the leaders early on before unleashing a sprint that none could respond to.

But for a short stint at the front, pre-race favourite Queen’s Blade showed little, ultimately fading and finishing in 5th and as her fellow pacesetters also fell away it was left to outsiders Gilbert and Namdo Trio to close strongly and push the winner to the line.

Two horses threw away their chances at the start. First, Pureun Geotap reared in the gate and had to be scratched. Once they finally did get underway Busan’s champion juvenile of last year Jungang Gongju missed the break and only managed to catch one horse by the end, continuing her recent run of poor form.

Also disappointing was previously unbeaten filly Winner’s Marine who finished 9th after being sent off as the 2nd favourite.

Aside from the three placers, Raon Morris put on a good show, leading for most of the way before being overcome at the end. He could be one to watch going forward.

Cheongnyong Bisang is the first Seoul winner of the KRA Cup Mile since Money Car in 2010 and he did it in style. He’ll be the favourite as we head back to the capital for the Korean Derby on May 18.

KRA Cup Mile (KOR G2) – Busan Race Park – 1600M – April 6, 2014

1. Cheongnyong Bisang (KOR) [Volponi – Miss Alwuhush (Alwuhush)] – Seo Seung Un – 21.5, 4.1
2. Gilbert (KOR) [Yankee Victor – Wonderful Wanda (Fusaichi Pegasus)] – Kim Dong Young – 14.9
3. Namdo Trio (KOR) [Didyme – Tapas (Sky Classic)] – Kanichiro Fujii – 4.3
Distances: 2 lengths/0.5 lengths – 14 ran
Also Ran: 4. Raon Morris 5. Queen’s Blade 6. Yeonggwanguichampion 7. Nubi Queen 8. Cupid Girl 9. Winner’s Marine 10. Gangchi 11. Royal Impact 12. Power Champion 13. Jungang Gongju 14. Classic Cat NR. Pureun Geotap NR. Hwanggeumbitjijunghye

K-Triple Crown 2014: KRA Cup Mile Full Preview

The Triple Crown is upon us. We’ve a long slog ahead with 6 months between the first leg and final legs. We begin at Busan Race Park this coming Sunday with the KRA Cup Mile – the Korean 2000 Guineas.

Cheongnyong Bisang stands to attention after becoming champion juvenile. He'll have plenty of supporters in the KRA Cup Mile

Cheongnyong Bisang stands to attention after becoming champion juvenile. He’ll have plenty of supporters in the KRA Cup Mile

A full field of 16 will line up for the big race – 7 of them fillies. It looks extremely open and hard to call. Here’s a run-down of the runners and riders:

KRA Cup Mile (KOR G2) – Busan Race Park – 1600M – Sunday April 6, 2014

1. Classic Cat [One Cool Cat – Deoksugung (Cherokee Run)] (6/3/1/0) – Park Hyun Woo (Seoul)
Faded badly in the final furlong of his last start which was his first try at 7 furlongs. Prior to that he’d recorded some very dominant wins and with plenty of speed, if he runs back to that form he could do feature at the buiness end of the race. Doing it at Busan is a big ask though.

2. Yeonggwanguichampion [Menifee – Manwang (Road Of War)] (7/4/1/1) – Lim Sung Sil (Busan)
Lim Sung Sil has been to be on in Stakes races recently although he’s not riding for trainer Kim Young Kwan this time. Finished 2nd on his only start over the distance to date. He’s a front-runner and will need to have come on since then if he is to hold on here. A chance.

3. Cheongnyong Bisang [Volponi – Miss Alwuhush (Alwuhush)] (7/4/0/0) – Seo Seung Un (Seoul)
Last year’s Champion Juvenile found himself exposed last time out against class 2 opposition. That was over 1800M and he already has a win at 1700M to his name. With the exception of his Breeders’ Cup, his wins have come from the front and he is going to face a lot of competition up there. If he can stay on in the long and tough Busan home straight, he’ll be among the contenders.

4. Pureun Geotap [Menifee – Charmin Strike (Smart Strike)] Filly (9/2/2/3) Lee Chan Ho (Seoul)
The filly was 3rd in the Breeders’ Cup and has gone on to show she can handle an extended trip, with a class 4 win over 1800M. She was hanging on a bit in a slowly run race but should appreciate the drop down to 1600M.

5. Gangchi [Volponi – Regal Heir (Regal Intention)] (9/3/1/1) – Darryll Holland (Busan)
Bart Rice saddles his first Korean Classic runner. Gangchi was a sharp-looking winner over 1300M last time out. Expect to see him just off the lead and if anyone can coax the best out of him, it’s Darryll Holland.

6. Nubi Queen [Menifee – Dream Runner (Our Poetic Prince)] Filly (9/3/1/2) – Oh Kyoung Hoan (Seoul)
Another who has won over 1800M at Seoul, Nubi Queen could only manage 6th when facing a lot of these rivals in the Breeders’ Cup last December and although she’s clearly gone on since, whether she has the pace to match them at the business end of the race is open to question.

7. Winner’s Marine [Volponi – Graceful Ballerina (Posse)] Filly (5/5/0/0) – You Hyun Myung (Busan)
The only unbeaten runner coming into the race, she’s going to have to work very hard to still be unbeaten come the end of Sunday afternoon though. She’s never tried further than 1300M and hasn’t beaten anything special but she is undeniably quick and jockey You Hyun Myung has been in sensational form of late.

8. Raon Morris [Yankee Victor – Thunder By Night (Thunder Gulch)] (6/3/1/1) – Moon Se Young (Seoul)
Seoul’s champion 2-year-old of last year has only made one competitive start in 2014, finishing 3rd over 1700M in January. He has race-trialed twice since though and Seoul’s top jockey Moon Se Young has seen fit to make the journey South – a tip in itself. On his day, he has the fastest sprint and must be respected.

9. Jungang Gongju [Menifee – Command And Hope (Commands)] Filly (7/2/2/0) – Choi Si Dae (Busan)
Winner of Busan’s biggest 2-year-old race last year, she’s been deeply unimpressive in her three starts since. Likes to come from off the pace with a very fast final three furlongs, if she runs to her best, she can win especially if the front-runners burn themselves out. However, she’s not been doing that lately, disappointing punters who’ve backed her into short odds each time. They won’t this time.

10. Queen’s Blade [Menifee – Harboring (Boston Harbor)] Filly (7/4/3/0) – Kim Yong Geun (Busan)
A Kim Young Kwan trained horse must always be in contention in a big race and his filly cones into this race with the most impressive recent form, winning a class 2 race over this distance. She’ll need to go quicker than she did that day to win this but she has the pace and the pedigree to excel here – she’s half-sister to 2008 Oaks winner Jeolho Chance – and could be hard to beat.

11. Gilbert [Yankee Victor – Wonderful Wanda (Fusaichi Pegasus)] (5/3/1/0) – Kim Dong Young (Busan)
One of the bigger colts in the race, Gilbert looks like a sprinter and so far has only run once over 6 furlongs – he finished 8th. Kim Dong Young, who won this race last year on Sting Ray, will be his 5th jockey in 6 races. He’s quick but others are quicker.

12. Namdo Trio [Didyme – Tapas (Sky Classic)] (9/2/4/0) – Kanichiro Fujii (Busan)
A very encouraging run over the distance in March and Joe Fujii on his back are two things that Namdo Trio has in his favour. Likes to close from just off the pace, he should find one or two quicker here but the Fujii-factor will mean he has his backers.

13. Power Champion [Perfect Champion – Perfect Vision (Psychobabble)] (8/4/1/0) – Jo In Kwen (Seoul)
Enters the race in great form, having won his past 4 starts and with Jo In Kwen on board, he’ll have plenty of support from punters. It’s his first try at this distance which could be a concern but he will be among the favourites.

14. Cupid Girl [Vicar – Sheza Hot Dish (Rubiano)] Filly (8/4/0/1) – Park Byung Yun (Seoul)
Another who comes into the race on a winning streak, her’s currently stands at 3, her most recent coming over 1800M. The distance therefore isn’t a concern and she has won both from the front and from off the pace. Should be a good price with an unfashionable jockey on board but likely to find a few too quick here though.

15. Hwanggeumbitjijung [Menifee – Firstclasscat (Catienus)] Filly (6/4/0/1) – Masakazu Tanaka (Busan)
Got squeezed out in a very tight four-way finish over 1500M last time out and the fact that she was passed by 3 class 3 horses in the final few strides of that race is a worry. If she can stay the distance, she should have plenty of speed in store.

16. Royal Impact [Cielo Gold – Skeemo (Meadowlake)] (7/2/0/3) – Song Keong Yun (Busan)
A closer who could well appreciate stepping up a further half-furlong than he’s run before. Although he comes in looking in good form, he hasn’t beaten very much and only has one start at class 3 to his name so he’ll be one of the outsiders. Bet him if you think the pace-setters will sprint each other out the race.

The KRA Cup Mile is race 5 of a 6-race program at Busan on Sunday. The race will also be broadcast live to Seoul Racecourse for simulcast betting.

Weekend Race Times – Cherry Blossom Edition

It’s KRA Cup Mile weekend! The opening leg of the 2014 Korean Triple Crown takes place at Busan Racecourse this coming Sunday.

Cheery blossoms are out at Seoul Racecourse

Cherry blossoms are out at Seoul Racecourse

Our full horse-by-horse preview of the big race will be published here on Friday evening but in the meantime, here’s what’s happening when and where on a weekend when the Cherry blossoms are expected to be fully in bloom at Seoul Racecourse:

Friday April 5
Busan Race Park: 10 races from 13:00 to 19:00
Jeju Race Park: 8 races from 13:25 to 17:15

Saturday April 6
Seoul Race Park: 12 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Jeju Race Park: 9 races from 12:30 to 17:15

Sunday April 7
Seoul Race Park: 11 races from 10:50 to 18:00
Busan Race Park: 6 races from 12:45 to 17:05 including the KRA Cup Mile at 16:15

The KRA Cup Mile – A Brief History

This coming Sunday, the first leg of the 2014 Korean Triple Crown will be run at Busan Racecourse. And just like the Triple Crown itself, the KRA Cup Mile is a relatively new addition to the Korean racing calendar.

Sangseung Ilro and Eiki Nishimura win the KRA Cup Mile in 2009 (Pic: KRA)

Sangseung Ilro and Eiki Nishimura win the KRA Cup Mile in 2009 with Martin Wepner and Namdo Jeap just behind (Pic: KRA)

It began in 2005 as the marquee race of the season at the then brand new Busan track.

It was run in September, wasn’t called the KRA Cup Mile and wasn’t restricted to Korean-bred 3-year-olds. The race was won by US bred Siseon Jeap (Precise End).

The following year, the race was renamed as the KRA Chairman’s race and was run over the Korean Derby distance of 9 furlongs. Another US import Golding (Gold Alert), who went on to become a stalwart of the track all the way up until 2011 took the honours.

In 2007, the race moved to June and back in distance to a mile and was given the name KRA Cup Mile. In a memorable race, Australian jockey Garry Baker rode the 6-year-old mare Luna (Concept Win) to victory. Luna, who had broken down aged 2 and was never expected to race again, would later have her story (very) loosely made into a movie.

That year, J.S.Hold had won all three legs of the Triple Crown. However, he only faced Seoul horses and the first leg had been the Ttukseom Cup. In 2008, with the Busan track coming of age, for the first time runners from both Seoul and Busan would be eligible for the Triple Crown races and it was decided that the KRA Cup Mile was the ideal first leg – a Korean 2000 Guineas.

Here are the winners since then:

2008: Rainmaker (KOR) [Revere – Wandering Katie (Tejano)] – Ahn Sun Ho
The first Classic to be run at Busan was won by a Busan horse. However, Rainmaker went on to finish 8th in the Derby the following month and never won a race again despite running on for 2 years. Now a minor stallion at Stud.

2009: Sangseung Ilro (KOR) [Concept Win – Ms. Whiskey (Whiskey Wisdom)] – Eiki Nishimura
The only filly to win since the race became part of the Triple Crown, she’s also the only winner of this race to go on to win the Korean Derby. She went on to win multiple Stakes before retiring. Delivered a foal by Menifee in 2012.

2010: Money Car (KOR) [Newsprint – Pinocchio (Big Sur)] – Park Tae Jong
Romped to an 11-length victory and is to date the only visitor from Seoul to win the race. He was caught right on the line in the Derby by Cheonnyeon Daero and only ran once more. Like Rainmaker now a minor stallion.

2011: Soseuldaemun (KOR) [Meisei Opera – This Ole Way (Vigors)] – Toshio Uchida
A comfortable winner at odds of 7/1, Soseuldaemun turned up for the Derby having lost a lot of weight and didn’t run well. He was retired after his 3-year-old season.

2012: Gyeongbudaero (KOR) [Menifee – Pirncess Lanique (Cherokee Run)] – Choi Si Dae
A 3-length winner, he finished 3rd in the Derby and has gone on to be one of the top performers in the country, running in almost every big Stakes race, recording wins in the Busan Owners’ Cup and Busan Ilbo and a 2nd in the President’s Cup. Ranked the number 2 Korean bred horse in the country right now behind Grand Prix winner Indie Band.

2013: Sting Ray (KOR) [Forest Camp – Straight Cash (Straight Man)] – Kim Dong Young
His dam was a Korean Stakes winner and while Sting Ray performed so badly for the rest of the year after the Cup Mile he got himself gelded, he was back in the winner’s circle at class 1 earlier this month.

K-Triple Crown 2014: KRA Cup Mile First Preview

We’re just 12 days away from the first leg of the 2014 Korean Triple Crown. Currently 19 horses remain in the KRA Cup Mile – the “Korean 2000 Guineas” – which will be run at Busan Racecourse on Sunday April 6.

Who will follow Sting Ray as the winner of the KRA Cup Mile? (KRA)

Who will follow Sting Ray as the winner of the KRA Cup Mile? (KRA)

OF those 19 – which will be cut to a maximum of 16 by final declarations next Wednesday, Busan supplies 11 while 8 are planning to make the trip down the Gyeongbu Expressway from Seoul. Only one horse from the capital, Money Car in 2010, has triumphed in the race to date.

Busan’s foreign trainers Peter Wolsley and Bart Rice are represented respectively by Heukgangja and Gangchi while last year’s Champion Juveniles Jungang Gongju (Busan) Raon Morris (Seoul) and Cheongyong Bisang (Overall) are all expected to be present.

Jungang Gongju is among 7 fillies still in the race. Another, Winner’s Marine, is the only entrant who heads to the race unbeaten, having won all of her 5 starts to date.

We’ll have a full preview and run-down of the final field next week but in the meantime, here is the full list of those 19 who remain in (Name [Pedigree] (Starts/1st/2nd/3rd)

KRA Cup Mile (KOR G2) – Busan Race Park – 1600M – Sunday April 6, 2014

Busan

Heukgangja [Creek Cat – Rosa Gulch (Thunder Gulch)] (5/3/1/0)
Hwanggeumbitjijung [Menifee – Firstclasscat (Catienus)] Filly (6/4/0/1)
Jungang Gongju [Menifee – Command And Hope (Commands)] Filly (7/2/2/0)
Winner’s Marine [Volponi – Graceful Ballerina (Posse)] Filly (5/5/0/0)
Namdo Trio [Didyme – Tapas (Sky Classic)] (9/2/4/0)
Gangchi [Volponi – Regal Heir (Regal Intention)] (9/3/1/1)
Royal Impact [Cielo Gold – Skeemo (Meadowlake)] (7/2/0/3)
Gilbert [Yankee Victor – Wonderful Wanda (Fusaichi Pegasus)] (5/3/1/0)
Queen’s Blade [Menifee – Harboring (Boston Harbor)] Filly (7/4/3/0)
Yeonggwanguichampion [Menifee – Manwang (Road Of War)] (7/4/1/1)
Wild Rush [Forest Camp – Wisconsin Girl (Smart Strike)] (6/1/3/2)

Seoul

Power Champion [Perfect Champion – Perfect Vision (Psychobabble)] (8/4/1/0)
Nubi Queen [Menifee – Dream Runner (Our Poetic Prince)] Filly (9/3/1/2)
Classic Cat [One Cool Cat – Deoksugung (Cherokee Run)] (6/3/1/0)
Cupid Girl [Vicar – Sheza Hot Dish (Rubiano)] Filly (8/4/0/1)
Cheongnyong Bisang [Volponi – Miss Alwuhush (Alwuhush)] (7/4/0/0)
Jangsan Horangi [Forest Camp – Steal The Show (Cat Thief)] (5/2/2/1)
Pureun Geotap [Menifee – Charmin Strike (Smart Strike)] Filly (9/2/2/3)
Raon Morris [Yankee Victor – Thunder By Night (Thunder Gulch)] (6/3/1/1)

Sting Ray Saunters to Victory in KRA Cup Mile

Sting Ray, the odds-on favourite, swept to a convincing victory in the KRA Cup Mile at Busan Race Park this afternoon.

Sting Ray and Kim Dong Young win the KRA Cup Mile

Sting Ray and Kim Dong Young win the KRA Cup Mile

The race, known informally as the Korean 2000 Guineas, was the first leg of the 2013 Korean Triple Crown.

Sting Ray (Forest Camp), who came into the race off the back of 2 consecutive impressive wins was always travelling well under Kim Dong Young as Harley (Menifee) set the early pace. As they entered the home straight and spread across the track, Sting Ray hit the front and never looked like being caught as he stretched away for a 4-length win.

Raon Boss (Pico Central) showed that his last outing, where he finished 13 of 14 was an aberration by finishing a strong second, giving British jockey Darryll Holland a great result in his first Korean Classic race.

The Peter Wolsley trained Fantastic Jazz (Menifee) was a close 3rd. Wolsley’s other-runner, the slightly better fancied Amell’s Atom (Menifee) finished 4th.

Sting Ray is a half-brother of 2012 Korean Oaks winner Rising Glory, through their dam Straight Cash. Straight Cash herself was a top class filly who ran in Korea and won the 2005 JRA Trophy race. With 2 Classic winners, she has already established herself as among the top broodmares too.

The result was another disappointment for Seoul based trainers as Busan-trained horses dominated the placings. Rapide Bullet (Revere), back in 5th, was the best placed finisher from the capital. It’s difficult to see how this is going to be reversed when the country’s top three-year olds reconvene in Seoul on May 19th for the Korean Derby.

Sting Ray has already won at 1900 metres – further than the Derby distance and looks like he’s only going to get better.

KRA Cup Mile (KOR GII) – Busan Race Park – 1600M – April 7, 2013

1. Sting Ray (KOR) [Forest Camp – Straight Cash (Straight Man)] – Kim Dong Young
2. Raon Boss (KOR) [Pico Central – Ivy’s Jewel Stone (Forestry)] – Darryll Holland
3. Fantastic Jazz (KOR) [Menifee – Sorority Jazz (Dixieland Band)] – Park Geum Man

Distances: 4 lengths/1.75 lengths
Also Ran: 4. Amell’s Atom 5. Rapide Bullet 6. Rising joy 7. like The Sun 8. Last Mudae 9. Yapung 10. Heungnyeong Bisang 11. Cheonneyon Dongan 12. Global Gangja 13. Harley 14. Ruby Canter.
Scratched: Pureun Energy, Energy Cell

Race video to follow.

KRA Cup Mile – Full Run-Down Of The Field For K-Triple Crown 1st Leg

The first leg of the 2013 Korean Triple Crown the KRA Cup Mile – known informally as the Korean 2000 Guineas – will be contested at Busan Race Park this coming Sunday.

Gyeongudaero won last year's KRA Cup Mile. 16 seek to emulate him this Sunday

Gyeongudaero won last year’s KRA Cup Mile. 16 seek to emulate him this Sunday

A full field of 16 will contend the season’s opening Classic race with 9 horses from host track Busan being joined by 7 from Seoul. Among them are 3 fillies whose connections will be hoping they can emulate 2009 winner Sangseung Ilro, who went on to win the Derby.

It’s potentially a big year for the foreign contingent at Busan. While only domestic bred horses are allowed to compete in Korean Triple Crown races, on the jockey and trainer front, hopes are high.

Since its inception in 2005, 3 jockeys from overseas have won this race; Garry Baker of Australia and Eiki Nishimura and Toshio Uchida of Japan. This year Japan’s Joe Fujii and Britain’s Darryll Holland both have fancied rides.

Meanwhile, on the training front, Australia’s Peter Wolsley saddles two runners in Fantastic Jazz and Amell’s Atom who are both in with a chance.

The big race is under orders at 16:15 on Sunday afternoon and is the highlight of a 6-race card at Busan. The race will also be screened live during the 11 race card at Seoul Race Park. There will be live tweeting on the day at http://twitter.com/korearacing and a full report plus race video on the blog in the evening.

Here is the full run-down of runners and riders – with pedigrees and race records (Runs/1/2/3):

KRA Cup Mile (KOR GII) – Busan Race Park – 1600M – April 7, 16:15

1. Rapide Bullet [Revere – Breadknife (Hansel)] (8/4/1/1) – Jo In Kwen (Seoul)
One of Seoul’s stronger challengers, he comes in off the back of two wins. Seoul’s current top jockey comes down to ride him.

2. Like The Sun [Forest Camp – Binnara (Fiercely)] (7/2/1/0) – Kim Young Jin (Seoul).
Has found it difficult in recent races – he’s only beaten class 5 opposition. The distance should suit but he’ll be an outsider.

3. Pureun Energy [Menifee – Cheongsan Ilho (General Nediym)] Filly (7/3/2/0) – Kanichiro Fujii (Busan)
She was Busan’s champion Juvenile last year and gas a class 3 win over course and distance in the bank this term. Struggled over further last time but must be given respect and has a good jockey on board.

4. Yapung [Menifee – Wild Life (Wild Again)] (9/3/2/1) – Kim Eu Soo (Busan)
Won the Breeders’ Cup at Seoul to become Korea’s overall champion Juvenile in November but hasn’t pushed on quite as much as some others. Finished 3rd to Pureun Energy over this distance and will have to improve to reverse that form.

5. Ruby Canter [Volponi – Crystal Decanter (Encosta De Lago)] Filly (6/2/0/2) – Lee Geum Joo (Seoul)
Difficult to find much in her favour. She looks a decent sprinter and held her own when finishing 4th against a modest field over 1800 metres last time out but she should find many quicker than her here.

6. Last Mudae [The Groom Is Red – White Aloa (White Muzzle)] (11/1/3/1) – Lee Dong Kug (Seoul)
Another one with slim claims. His only victory was at class 5 over 1300 metres back in January and he’s struggled since.

7. Cheonnyeon Dongan [Ecton Park – Honeycakes (Hennessy)] Filly (6/3/0/2) – Oh Kyoung Hoan (Seoul)
Smart victory over 1700 metres last time out at Seoul means she takes her chance here. Winning might be a stretch but she has a good chance of being involved at the business end of the race.

8. Fantastic Jazz [Menifee – Sorority Jazz (Dixieland Band)] (6/4/0/2) – Park Geum Man (Busan)
The first of 2 Peter Wolsley trained runners, this would perhaps count as marginally the second string if only because he’s run just once this year and is untried at further than 1300 metres. Third in the Breeders’ Cup and still lots of potential. Half-brother of 2008 Korean Derby winner Ebony Storm.

9. Amell’s Atom [Menifee – Amell (Boston Harbor)] (8/3/3/0) – Jo Sung Gon (Busan)
Peter Wolsley’s other runner has a win over course and distance last time and was 2nd to Raon Boss the time before that. Stable jockey Jo Sung Gon rides and he has a big chance.

10. Raon Boss [Pico Central – Ivy’s Jewel Stone (Forestry)] (6/4/1/0) – Darryll Holland (Busan)
The long-time favourite for this race put in a shocker of a performance a fortnight ago when he finished last but one over the distance. So long as that was just an off-day, Darryll Holland has a big chance of riding a winner in his first Korean Classic.

11. Rising Joy [Forest Camp – Joy Ride (Future Quest)] (10/4/2/1) – Lim Sung Sil (Busan)
Very nice looking colt with a class 3 win over 1500 metres and a class 2 3rd place over 1800. Regular jockey Jo Sung Gon is retained on Amell’s Atom but this one still has a good chance.

12. Harley [Menifee – Stolen Miss (Miswaki)] (9/4/2/2) – Song Keong Yun (Busan)
A class 2 winner who is yet to go more than 1400 metres. If he gets the extra furlong, he has very good claims. Holds a victory over Sting Ray.

13. Sting Ray [Forest Camp – Straight Cash (Straight Man)] (8/3/4/1) – Kim Dong Young
Half brother to last year’s Korean Oaks winner Rising Glory, he has perhaps the most impressive recent form in the race. Super consistent and his class 2 win over 1900 metres last time – and class 3 over 1500 metres the previous – means he will be on the top of a lot of people’s tickets.

14. Heungnyong Bisang [Ft.Stockton – Miss Alwushush (Alwuhush)] (10/4/1/1) – Kim Hae Sun (Seoul)
Has been in good consistent form winning or placing over the Derby distance of 1800 metres. Should enjoy dropping down a furlong and Should be in contention. Will probably find one or two quicker.

15. Energy Cell [Unaccountedlea – Cobratime (Cobra King)] (8/3/1/0) – Seo Seung Un (Seoul)
Has won 3 out of his lat 4 although he hasn’t beaten much in the process. Possible value one to watch.

16. Global Gangja [Pico Central – Gosokcheol (Big Sur)] (9/4/1/0) – Choi Si Dae (Busan)
A little inconsistent of late but has a win over this distance as well as a second place to Pureun Energy. Choi Si Dae knows how to win the big races and he will have his backers.