YTN Cup

GLOBAL HIT AND SPEED YOUNG SEE OFF BRAVE YUMENO HONOO IN YTN

In the end all parties emerged with heads held high. Global Hit ran out a comfortable five-length winner of the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3) sparing any possible blushes for the local contingent, while Japan’s Yumeno Honoo ran with enormous credit, finishing 3rd, just a head behind Speed Young in 2nd on his first time racing outside of Kochi and on an anticlockwise track.

Global Hit successfully defends the YTN Cup (Pic: KRA)

Korean punters certainly respected the visitor, Yumeno Honoo being sent off the 2.3 second favourite to Global Hit’s 1.9, those the only two in the market on a win line. And any doubts about the unfamiliar environment affecting Yumeno Honoo’s starting manners were dispelled when he leapt out on pace and tracked Miracle Marine, who as expected sprung out of gate two and into the lead.

Global Hit meanwhile had to navigate from gate twelve racing handy but wide for much of the early part of the race, with jockey Kim Hye-sun evidently determined not to allow Yumeno Honoo and Hiroto Yoshihara to get the jump on them.

By the time they entered the home straight, Global Hit was straining to be let loose and after Miracle Marine gave way, Global Hit cruised past new leader Yumeno Honoo as well as his stablemate Speed Young and dominated the closing stages. Yumeno Honoo was headed by Speed Young but was a full length and a half clear of Herald Business winner Success Baekpa in 4th.

“I always try to enjoy myself, but I felt pressure until yesterday” winning jockey Kim Hye-sun, for who Global Hit has been a career-defining horse, told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “There is always a lot of expectation and support for Global Hit, but I think it was more intense this time with the Japanese horse here.”

“I know there was some doubt about how he would fare after Dubai, but the result speaks for itself. There were so many variables coming into this race, but we wanted to be on pace and once the gate opened, he began well. I thought (Yumeno Honoo) might go a little faster and I was surprised how well we won by.”

Winning trainer Bang Dong-suk, who also saddled Speed Young to 2nd place, said that Global Hit has benefitted from his Dubai trip. “I think he has grown – or upgraded would be a better word – through his time in Dubai. He returned healthy so was ready for this.”

“I discussed (with jockey Kim Hye-sun) and we decided to go forward as much as possible at the start, like he did in Dubai.”

“Japanese horses are renowned the world over and although (Yumeno Honoo) is from a local racecourse, I had a lot of respect for him. So, I am very happy to win.”

Global Hit and Kim Hye-sun in the YTN Winner’s Circle (Pic: KRA)

Quizzed on what was next for Global Hit – the potential for a rare outing at his home track of Busan in the final leg of the Stayer Series, the Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2) followed by the KRA Cup Classic in August and then the Korea Cup in September the logical path – the trainer played a straight bat.

“The only thing that determines it is (Global Hit’s) health. We will do our best to help him be fit and healthy and then decide where to go.”

Speed Young’s jockey Park Jae-I (who is married to Kim Hye-sun) also spoke after the race. “I was pleased with how it went, better than I expected. I was wide but I didn’t really have a choice from gate fifteen and I just wanted to get as close as possible. I had hoped for more of a kick at the end, but Global Hit was out of sight.”

“Global Hit is really strong” said Yumeno Honoo’s rider Hiroto Yoshihara. “I was worried about the start, but it all went smoothly, and I was able to settle into 2nd place. Yumeno Honoo gave his best and really the race couldn’t have gone any better.”

Yumeno Honoo flies back to Japan on Monday afternoon, and he goes back having demonstrated that the Kochi form can stand up. It may not be too long until another Japanese visitor tries their luck here with Strike On among the preliminary nominations for the final leg of the Sprint Series on May 18th.

Global Hit moves on to eleven wins from nineteen starts. The Korea Cup will be harder. Fit and healthy, of course.

Next week the attention turns to the filly and mare division with the second leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer (1400M KOR-G2).

YTN Cup 2025 – Form Comments

It’s the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3) at Seoul on Sunday afternoon with Japan’s Yumeno Honoo lining up against Global Hit and the rest of the top line Korea distance horses.

See here for full preview of all 17 Sunday races across Seoul and Busan

See here for background on Yumeno Honoo.

Success Baekpa and Speed Young were 1st and 2nd in the Herald Business and return (Pic: KRA)

1. TUHONUI BANSEOK – Won this race in 2023. Briefly showed near the front in the Herald Business before dropping back to finish midfield. That was his first run since the Grand Prix, so can strip fitter and always a chance.

2. MIRACLE MARINE – Won three in a row between November and January and then led the Herald Business before finishing 5th. Draws well to be on pace again and can be in this a long way. Real chance.

3. YUMENO HONOO – A superstar at Kochi, if he takes to the track and racing anticlockwise, he won’t have too many excuses. Drawn beautifully for the jockey to pick his spot and if he takes to the track conditions, he may take some beating.

4. TIZ BAROWS – 4th in the Herlad Businesshaving broken on pace before dropping back and ultimately running on, continuing a run of positive form. Runa Maia knows him well and he can be a money chance again.

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A Decade On, Can Yumeno Honoo Emulate Esmeraldina in Seoul?

It was June of 2015 when an overseas horse last tried their luck in a Korean Open race. Now, almost ten years later, Yumeno Honoo will try to emulate Esmeraldina, who prevailed in her trip to Seoul and the Ttukseom Cup, when he lines up in the YTN Cup (1800M KOR-G3) at Seoul Racecourse next Sunday.

Yumeno Honoo (Pic: KRA International Racing Team)

After Esmeraldina, piloted by Joe Fujii, demolished that Ttukseom Cup field, the feeling – or maybe fear would be a better word – was that Japanese horses would regularly plunder those Korean races that are open to overseas runners. Instead, it has been almost exactly a decade before another has even tried.

The YTN Cup is one of eight Korean races that carry Listed status in the international “Blue Book” and therefore open to eligible runners from overseas. Unlike the invitational Korea Cup and Sprint though, connections are responsible for their own expenses.

While it was rumoured around the turn of the year that some from Japan were considering the Grand Prix Stakes which at a Billion Won in prize money offers some margin for error and a 2300M distance that Japanese stayers will have a huge advantage over, Yumeno Honoo will need to finish in the top two of the 500 Million Won race if he is to even break even for his owner.

So it isn’t about money and the owner has been quite open both on social media and in an interview with Choi Hyeon-seong of Horse Biz, as to why he is here despite having not even travelled to other NAR tracks to take part in bigger local dirt races – essentially he wants to run overseas because the horse, a sensitive type, can spend a week or more at the racecourse to acclimatize first. He was among the preliminary nominations for the Korea Cup last year but had no hope of getting in over high rated JRA horses.

Yumeno Honoo’s record is formidable with eighteen wins from twenty-three starts, including being the first horse in fourteen years to win the Kochi Triple Crown in 2023. His times measure up. He apparently had problems with the gate when younger and has also had manners issues. Whether they will resurface in a new environment is anybody’s guess but he has been participating in gate schooling in his morning work since arriving in Seoul.

Kochi Racecourse is on the local council NAR circuit. Located on Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s five main islands, Kochi prefecture has the third smallest population among Japan’s forty-seven prefectures. Racing is on Saturday and Sunday late afternoon and evenings and is punching above its weight both in terms of wagering and in terms of performance of its horses.

Scheduling on weekends after the main JRA programs have finished surely plays a big part, but Kochi posted record wagering turnover in 2024 and was behind only the Tokyo region tracks of Oi, Kawasaki, Funabashi and Urawa in betting revenues last year.

More significantly from a sporting point of view, Kochi horses have measured up very well when traveling to more competitive races within Japan. Garbo Mambo, who has both beaten and been beaten by Yumeno Honoo, and Shimme Daisy being recent examples.

Japanese racing observers attribute that competitiveness to Kochi horses training and racing on very deep sand and, given that surface, the fast pace of the races. This all sounds very similar to Korea. While the Kochi track is clockwise and tighter than Seoul, there is no reason why Seoul can’t suit Yumeno Honoo more than his home track does.  

Trainer Tanaka Mamoru was the leading NAR trainer in 2023 while jockey Yoshihara Hiroto is one of the NAR’s best. Crucially he has Korean experience, having partnered Light Warrior to 4th place in last year’s Korea Cup. He will know all about Global Hit, who finished one place ahead of him and will also be very aware of how the Seoul track races.

Even if connections didn’t have any previous Seoul experience themselves, they have plenty of sources to turn to. Ikuyasu Kurakane, who rode 347 winners in Korea, was based at Kochi in his riding days and is now a trainer there. Ueda Masashi, currently riding at Busan, is also a Kochi jockey and is one of very few riders who has beaten Yumeno Honoo in a race (on Hachikin Musume back in October 2022 when Yumeno Honoo was a juvenile).

In Seoul, Yumeno Honoo looks very well. As a physical specimen his appearance is superior to Sunday’s rivals and in the mornings, he has had his ears pricked and seemingly very much enjoying his work. Those present observed that he is being prepared with exactly the same professionalism and attention to detail as the JRA horses at the Korea Cup and Sprint. He moves over the sand very well and while he has tended to hang out a little on the turns, if this translates to race day – and an actual race – it could be very ominous for the locals.

* Thanks to Joe Fujii and to journalist Yoko Oe, as well as LongBallToNoOne for background information on Kochi and the NAR.

YTN Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (April 20)

It’s the biggest day of the season so far as Japan’s Yumeno Honoo takes on Global Hit, Success Baekpa and the rest of the top two-turn horses in the country in the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3). It’s race 7 of an 11-race card at Seoul which runs from 10:35 to 18:00. At Busan there are 6-races from 12:05 to 16:30. Here are the previews with full form comments for the YTN to follow:

Success Baekpa won the 1st leg of the Stayer Series but will face a bigger challenge in the 2nd (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

After thirteen starts, (4) DAEWONYONGMA looks to have finally figured it out and comes in off his best finish to date when 2nd over this distance on March 16th when he led almost the entire way. He draws nicely to lead again and today should finally be the day. (8) JISAN FRIEND was an improved 4th at start number two on March 22nd over this distance, settling just behind the speed and finishing well. It was a slow race, but he finished ahead of a couple of today’s rivals, and he can continue to make progress here. (11) CHEONGRYONG GIUN was a fair 5th of eight on debut a month ago. He should have come on for that run and go closer. (5) SEMYEONG GHOST and (9) FLYING CONCORD, the latter looking well in a March trial, are others in the hunt.

Selections(4) Daewonyongma (8) Jisan Friend (11) Cheongryong Giun (5) Semyeong Ghost
Next Best9, 2
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 9

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden. (4) AWESOME QUEEN ran 2nd on debut in January before following up with 4th at this distance on March 15th. She has been doing her best work late so can sit behind the leaders here and she will be a short-price favourite to be too good. (3) BULGUKSIDAE enters off an improved 4th place at this distance on March 23rd. Well drawn in this company she should be among the pacesetters and can be in this a long way. (9) GEOLJAK HAPPY has a 3rd place on her record and against limited opposition, that’s enough to put her in with a chance of a place. (7) KIA ORA and first-time starter (1) CHARMING QUEEN are others to consider, the latter having hinted at ability in a decent trial earlier this month.

Selections(4) Awesome Queen (3) Bulguksidae (9) Geoljak Happy (7) Kia Ora
Next Best1, 6
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 7

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(5) QUANTUM K ran a fair 5th on debut and followed up with an improved 2nd place at 1300M on March 15th. He has run through the line well suggesting that the slight step up in trip can be in his favour and he will be odds-on to go one better. (6) MASTER KWAIGON similarly made progress at start number two on March 15th when 2nd at 1300M, coming from well off the pace. He too should go well at the 1400M and shapes as the main danger. The form falls off rapidly after that pair but (1) BLACK SMILE has been knocking on the door of the places in her latest few and can so similar here. (3) PURGE RUBY and (7) NAEGILUIYEONGGWANG are others who can challenge for the minors.

Selections(5) Quantum K (6) Master Kwaigon (1) Black Smile (3) Purge Ruby
Next Best7, 4
Fast Start2, 5, 8, 9

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(11) CHOEGANG TRIPLE has made steady progress across four starts so far, culminating in 2nd place over this distance on March 2nd when close to the pace throughout and posting a time half a second faster than any of these have managed over 1200M. He has the challenge of a wider than ideal gate, but he won’t need much improvement to win this. Second-favourite will be (2) LION MAGIC. After running-on too late on debut he was ridden much closer at start two on March 21st, ultimately running 2nd, well beaten by a good winner. Expect similar tactics today and he shouldn’t be far away. (1) DIA KNIGHT ran twice without distinction last year, most recently in October. He looked well in a March trial and can make a fresh start here (although do note he trialed well last year too. Debut-makers (3) GREAT UP and (8) WIND ROSE showed well in their respective trials and can be considered on a place line first up.

Selections(11) Choegang Triple (2) Lion Magic (1) Dia Knight (3) Great Up
Next Best8, 9
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 9

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

(9) USEUNG JINLI was a winner at start two last autumn before straining a ligament on his first try at this class in early December. He returned to action on March 9th at this class and distance and led a long way and ultimately ran 2nd. He comes up 2.5kg in weight but should have come on for that run and he can win here. (5) HAKSAN CAIRO remains a maiden after eight attempts but he has been ultra consistent with seven top five finishes. That includes his latest when 2nd over 1300M on March 29th and while he may once again find one too quick, he can be a danger late on for his first try at 1400M. (8) TAEGISAN KING comes up in class having scored over 1300M on March 8th, coming from midfield. He is down slightly in weight, and he can measure up. (1) ECLIPSE EDGE and (10) BULGEUN POKPUNG other place chances.

Selections(9) Useung Jinli (5) Haksan Cairo (8) Taegisan King (1) Eclipse Edge
Next Best10, 6
Fast Start1, 4, 8, 9

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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GLOBAL HIT DOWNS TUHONUI BANSEOK IN LAST GASP YTN SUCCESS

Tuhonui Banseok put up a valiant defence of his title, but Global Hit ultimately wrested it away from him with a last gasp drive to win the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3), the second leg of the Stayer Series, in the very final stride at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Global Hit pursues Tuhonui Banseok in sight of the line (Pic: KRA)

Global Hit had been on the wrong side of a photo-finish when going down to Winner’s Man in last December’s Grand Prix, but with Winner’s Man out of the picture, and Global Hit having won the first leg of the series, the Herald Business Trophy (2000M KOR-G3) in March, the four-year-old was sent off a warm favourite to once again defy a wide draw and  take out the Stayer second leg.

Tuhonui Banseok set off meaning business. Under Chae Sang-hyun the now five-year-old, who won the race by a remarkable eleven-lengths a year ago, went straight to the lead alongside 100/1 outsider Bolt Man. Kim Hye-sun aboard Global Hit meanwhile used the same tactics she did in the Herald Business and rode patiently, setting up camp in midfield and gradually improving as the field made their way down the back.

Pic: KRA

It was a brave effort from Tuhonui Banseok and while Global Hit inexorably raised the pressure in the sprint, he would not go down without a fight and continued to hold the younger horse at bay. They crossed the line together, but momentum saw Global Hit strike the front just when it mattered, the margin a nose. Speed Young, a stablemate of Global Hit, was a length back in 3rd.

Pre-race the market consensus was that the biggest danger was Nut Play, who got within a length of Global Hit in the Herald Business and drew a better gate this time around. Just like the Herald Business, jockey Jo Jae-ro opted to follow favourite. They would not get on terms and ultimately finished 4th. Wonderful Slew, the only filly or mare in the race, was a game 5th.

The diminutive Global Hit [To Honor And Serve – Tammy’s Victress (by Yankee Victor)] may not look like a racehorse, but he is fast and gutsy and he moves on to seven wins from twelve starts. For jockey Kim Hye-sun, as well as trainer Bang Dong-suk, he is proving to be a career-defining horse. He is owned by Kim Joon-hyun, who also had Minister’s Cup winner Hit Yegam in Winner’s Man’s year.

Jockey Kim will have plenty of time to reflect on the win as she picked up a four-meeting ban for the way she came off the fence to the detriment of Wonderful Slew on the 3rd corner.

The final leg of the Stayer Series is the slightly shorter Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800M KOR-G2) on the south coast on Sunday May 26. Tuhonui Banseok is the defending champion there too having lifted himself up off the canvas to go past Winner’s Man. He will need all that and more if he is to prevent Global Hit from carrying off a clean sweep.

Next week, the focus moves to the filly and mare division and the Ttukseom Cup (1400M KOR-G2), the second leg of the Queens’ Tour Spring/Summer at Seoul on Sunday afternoon. Jeulgeounyeojeong heads the field with Raon The Spurt looking the main danger.

Can Nut Play Overturn Form on Global Hit in YTN Cup?

The Stayers’ Series reaches its second stage on Sunday when a field of fifteen line up for the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3) at Seoul Racecourse. SEE HERE FOR FULL PREVIEW OF ALL 17 RACES ACROSS SEOUL AND BUSAN ON SUNDAY.

Global Hit remains the one to beat in the YTN Cup (Pic: KRA)

After running 2nd to Winner’s Man in both the President’s Cup and Grand Prix Stakes, last year’s Korean Derby winner Global Hit asserted his claim to be the new King of Korean racing with victory in the Herald Business (2000M KOR-G3) at Seoul last month.

Despite Winner’s Man being out of the picture for the foreseeable future – and possibly to be retired – the margin of victory was less than a length as another four-year-old, Nut Play was bearing down on Global Hit. The pair head the line up for the YTN and a reversal in form shouldn’t be ruled out.

At his best though, (14) GLOBAL HIT may prove hard to beat. He draws the same wide gate as he did in the Herald Business and Kim Hye-sun on board will be very aware of the threat that Nut Play – and others – can pose. Expect tactics to be adjusted accordingly.

(3) NUT PLAY also featured on the Triple Crown trail last year, running 4th in the KRA Cup Mile, before 3rd place finishes in both the Korean Derby and the Minister’s Cup. He picked up a Listed win last September over 1800M and began this year with a victory at class 1 level before his Herald Business runner-up. He comes into a much better gate this time.

Although they will be at the top of the market, this is no two-horse race. (7) TUHONUI BANSEOK is the defending champion, having demolished a field including Winner’s Man by an astonishing eleven-lengths. He made his season re-appearance in the Herald Business, running a creditable 3rd. A big run is possible here.

The wildcard is a stablemate of Tuhonui Banseok’s. In fact, it isn’t initially obvious which is the second string from the Bart Rice barn as (2) JEONGMUN COBIT enters in sensational form, having won his latest four at distances between 1400M and 2000M, posting some very quick times and for the most part, giving away weight. This is a step into the unknown competition wise, but he may well step up.

(10) SPEED YOUNG was champion juvenile in 2022 and has consistently threatened to break through at the very top level, including a strong 2nd behind Global Hit in the Minister’s Cup and a 3rd in the President’s Cup. He can mix his form, but he was a fair 5th in the Herald Business and shouldn’t be dismissed today.

Others who may find some interest at longer prices include (11) CHIEF INDY and the only filly in the race, Luigi Riccardi’s (4) WONDERFUL SLEW.

The YTN Cup is race 7 on the 11-race card at Seoul on Sunday which runs from 10:35 to 18:00. There are also 6 races at Busan from 11:25 to 16:05.

Selections(14) Global Hit (3) Nut Play (2) Jeongmun Cobit (7) Tuhonui Banseok
Next Best10, 11
Fast Start5, 6, 7, 10, 14

YTN Cup Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (April 21)

After the sprinters last week, this week it’s the second leg of the Stayer Series and the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3) headlines the daytime card on Sunday at Seoul. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 11:25 to 16:05. Here are the previews:

Global Hit headlines Sunday’s YTN Cup (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(9) USEUNG CONCORD raced twice in late summer last year, recording a 3rd and a 2nd over 1000M and 1200M. He hasn’t raced since but trialled up fairly in March and Moon Se-young’s engagement makes it likely they intend to pick up from where they left off and win first-up against this very limited set of opponents. (5) ARCH ROCKET has hinted at ability and should at least be on pace here. An apprentice keeps his weight very light, and he should be in the mix. (10) POWER TRY is the solitary debut maker. It took hm two goes to qualify but he looked competent enough at the second time of asking and he can be considered against this lot. (7) JEONGSEONG VICE and (6) HERO NARA others in the placing frame.

Selections(9) Useung Concord (5) Arch Rocket (10) Power Try (7) Jeongseong Vice
Next Best6, 2
Fast Start4, 5, 7, 9

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

(9) BREEDO KING STAR enters off a 3rd and a 4th, both at this distance and both times settling behind the lead before finishing well. Despite the wide draw, he can be expected to be on pace here and he us the one to bear. Clear second-pick is (1) GEUMSEONG REVERE. Having returned from almost nine months out to run a 4th place over 1300M on March 14th, she should strip fitter here and can be a danger. The form falls off significantly after those, but (5) ÉCLAIR POWER has hinted at ability across his three starts so far. He has got a bit far back in his races but should be running on strong here.  (7) CHANGJOUI GIDUNG and (3) HIGH END are potential improvers.

Selections(9) Breedo King Star (1) Geumseong Revere (5) Éclair Power (7) Changjoui Gidung
Next Best3, 6
Fast Start1, 6, 8, 9

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(9) BLAZING MAN will be the favourite here. He has shown steady improvement across his three starts so far, most recently when 4th over 1400M on March 22nd when racing on pace. He has finished ahead of a few of these already and he should be finishing ahead of all of them today. (3) THUNDER GUY comes in having finished a fair 4th on debut over 1200M on March 31st. The time wasn’t the quickest, but he should have benefitted from the experience and with some natural improvement, can go closer here. (4) HANEUL SINHWA dead-heated for 5th place behind Blazing Man last time out and can there or thereabouts again. (2) BEST BOY and (7) GOAT KING IJI among others to consider for the minors.

Selections(9) Blazing Man (3) Thunder Guy (4) Haneul Sinhwa (2) Best Boy
Next Best7, 6
Fast Start3, 4, 9, 12

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

Fillies only and (2) JERAQUEEN will be a warm favourite here having made steady progress across her five starts so far, culminating in a runner-up finish over 1300M in a similar all-filly race on March 17th when leading almost all the way. She draws nicely to lead again and will be expected to go one better. (10) BEATRIZ enters having run an improved 3rd over this distance in February when racing on the pace. The same apprentice keeps her weight nice and light, and despite the wide draw, she can be on pace and in this again. (7) PINK WIND was one of those behind Jeraqueen on March 17th, but she has a 2nd place to her name and can be a factor here. (6) CHOGANGBULPAE and (5) MONEY TOUCH others in the placing frame.

Selections(2) Jeraqueen (10) Beatriz (7) Pink Wind (6) Chogangbulpae
Next Best5, 11
Fast Start1, 2, 8, 10

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(5) MORPHEUS is up in class having secured his maiden win at the sixth time of asking when stepped up to a mile and leading all the way on March 24th. He has performed well at this distance as well and while he doesn’t get much in the way of a weight break, he can be on pace again and can go back-to-back. (4) MOVIE MORE is yet to win in ten attempts, nine of hem at this distance but she comes in with a 4th and a 3rd from his latest two. She carries a light weight, draws well to challenge Morpheus for the early lead, and it could well be her day. (2) VELOCIRAPTOR was a winner at this class over 1300M two starts back. It may have been her first win on her twentieth start, but she has loads of experience at this level and this is the kind of company she can place among. The rest need to improve on recent form with (11) WONDERFUL CHEROKEE and (6) SINHAE MANGCHI perhaps the most likely.

Selections(5) Morpheus (4) Movie More (2) Velociraptor (11) Wonderful Cherokee
Next Best6, 12
Fast Start4, 5, 6, 7

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(9) YONGAM MARENGO finished down the field when sent off as favourite at class and distance on March 23rd. The margins weren’t huge though and we can give him another chance after two near-misses leading up to it. He can sit behind the speed and prove too strong late on. (6) RAON THE TAP has two placings at this class and enters off a fair 5th, ahead of Yongam Marengo in that March 23rd race. Moon Se-young stays aboard, and he will have plenty of backers here. (5) MEOTJIN GIROK has been working his way back into form and enters off a smart 2nd place at class and distance on March 17th. He is another with a strong finish who should be doing his best work late. (4) BULGEUN POKPUNG and (7) NAOL DAEWANG others to consider.

Selections(9) Yongam Marengo (6) Raon The Tap (5) Meotjin Girok (4) Bulgeun Pokpung
Next Best7, 3
Fast Start3, 4, 6, 10

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies and mares only here. (11) JAZZ STAR was a winner on debut over 1200M in an all-filly maiden on March 22nd when settling midfield and running on. She comes up in class and in distance here, but neither should be an issue, and, under a light weight, she can maintain her 100% start. (2) WONDERFUL CUTIE is the main danger. She was a winner at this class and distance in February – the only one in the field to have prevailed at 1400M – before running midfield in stiffer company than this and under 56kg last time out. She comes down in the weights here with an apprentice engaged, is drawn well, and she can return to form. (10) ARION QUEEN will need a line drawn through her latest over a mile but should be happier back in trip here. (7) NONSTOP DUTY and (1) CHIMING RUN others in the hunt.

Selections(11) Jazz Star (2) Wonderful Cutie (10) Arion Queen (7) Nonstop Duty
Next Best1, 3
Fast Start5, 7, 10, 11

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

(3) ROYAL BEST got his maiden win over 1300M in January, making all, and has since been 4th on both tries at this class, both times having led. He draws nicely here, CC climbs aboard, and he can win. (2) JECHUK IHO remains a maiden but is yet to finish any worse than 4th after five starts last year. He hasn’t raced since last October but he looked very well when leading all the way in a trial at the start of this month, and from a good gate, he can put in a bold showing first-up. (9) HAEJE YEOGEOL got her maiden win two starts back before running 2nd on her first try at this class over 1200M on January 14th having led. She comes in fresh after fourteen weeks out and she can be in the hunt. (4) GOLDEN LINE and (6) TAMNA CHOEGANGJA others to consider.

Selections(3) Royal Best (2) Jechuk Iho (9) Haeje Yeogeol (4) Golden Line
Next Best6, 7
Fast Start2, 3, 4, 8

Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

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TUHONUI BANSEOK STUNS WINNER’S MAN BY CRUSHING MARGIN AS BART RICE TRAINS FIRST KOREAN GROUP WINNER

The second leg of the Stayer Series was every bit as one-sided as most expected. It just wasn’t the result most expected as Tuhonui Banseok produced a spectacular performance to beat defending Champion and Korea Cup and Grand Prix Stakes hero Winner’s Man by an astonishing eleven-lengths in the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3). It was a first Korean Group race win for both jockey Park Jae-I and trainer Bart Rice.

Tuhonui Banseok in the clear in the YTN Cup (Pic: KRA)

Having won the first leg of the Stayer Series, last month’s Herald Business Cup by three-lengths, Winner’s Man was sent off as a prohibitive 1.4 favourite for the YTN ahead of Tuhonui Banseok, who had been a fast-finishing 3rd in the Grand Prix and then 2nd in the Herald Business. Breaking from gate two, Park Jae-I pushed Tuhonui Banseok to the lead right from the gate. Knowing where the greatest threat was, Seo Seung-un on Winner’s Man immediately moved to track him.

Tuhonui Banseok (Pic: KRA)

Winner’s Man stayed locked to Tuhonui Banseok’s heels as the race passed through the back straight and reached its crucial stages. Passing three-furlongs and beginning to turn towards the home straight, the seeming inevitability of Winner’s Man eventually blowing past the upstart was confounded when Seo Seung-un was the first to get to work, while Park Jae-I remained stationary aboard the leader. When Park did get down to business, the gap was already up to three-lengths and rising. Between the 300M and the 200M, Winner’s Man briefly regained some ground, but Tuhonui Banseok quickly slammed the door and romped away for a devastating victory.

Winner’s Man was 2nd, eleven-lengths in arrears but still well clear of the rest, while Winner Gold, a 78/1 chance, emerged from the rear down the rail to claim an excellent 3rd.  

It perhaps shouldn’t have come as a surprise. Tuhonui Banseok was running in his fifth Graded race and the trajectory had very much been upwards. Last June he encountered the elite for the first time and ran 8th in the Busan Mayor’s Cup behind Winner’s Man. A 3rd in last October’s KRA Cup Classic behind Raon The Fighter was followed by another 3rd in the Grand Prix Stakes. That day with every stride, he was gaining on Winner’s Man and Raon The Fighter, and may have got closer were it not for his having to navigate around tired horses at the top of the straight. Then there was that 2nd in the Herald Business last month.

Park Jae-i (Pic: KRA)

This time everything went right for Tuhonui Banseok, a five-year-old American-bred entire by Verrazano and out of the Street Sense mare, Sense of Beauty. He was a $13,000 purchase at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

For jockey Park Jae-I, 2022 was a standout year in terms of winners when he leapt from a previous yearly best of twenty-seven, to a tally of sixty-two and 3rd place in the Premiership behind only You Hyun-myung and Sunday’s vanquished rival, Seo Seung-un. Now the twenty-seven-year-old has his first Graded race win.

It was surprising for some observers to realise it was also a first Korean Graded winner for trainer Bart Rice. The South African handler has been a fixture around the top of the Busan Trainer Premiership ever since debuting in late 2013 and sports a healthy 14%-win rate and 34% top-three rate across his time in the country.

Bart Rice finally gets his Group Race Presentation (Pic: KRA)

Previous Rice stable stars such as the fellow Lim Byung-ho owned Buhwarui Banseok were solid class 1 horses but had the misfortune to be around at the same time as the likes of Cheongdam Dokki, for his entire career, as well as Triple Nine and Power Blade at the start of it.  That said, Tuhonui Banseok has had the misfortune to be around at the same time as Raon The Fighter and Winner’s Man. Now that gap on the resume has been filled and with Tuhonui Banseok still seemingly getting better, there could be more to come.

Don’t write off Winner’s Man. He has had his setbacks before, most notably when 3rd in last November’s President’s Cup. It didn’t take him long to return to the summit. But there is plenty of intrigue now ahead of the Busan Mayor’s Cup on July 2nd and the biggest of them all, the Korea Cup, looming into view. In Tuhonui Banseok, a new heavyweight is on the scene.

Winner’s Man Heads Stayer Series 2nd Leg Field Sunday

The Stayer Series holds its second leg at Seoul Racecourse this Sunday as ten go to post for the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3). And with Raon The Fighter now firmly ensconced atop the sprinting ranks following his dominant wins in the Busan Ilbo Sprint in April and the SBS Sports Sprint last weekend, the path appears clear for Winner’s Man to continue his dominance over the longer trips. 

Winner’s Man won the 1st leg of the Stayer Series from Tuhonui Banseok. (Pic: KRA)

Having won the Korea Cup and Grand Prix Stakes in 2022, WINNER’S MAN, who also won the Korea Derby as a three-year-old, began the Stayer Series as the one to beat and he duly obliged in the first leg, the Herald Business Trophy (2000M KOR-G3) on April 16th when he struck the front in the home straight and ran on to win by three-lengths. Over the same distance and under a set weight scale, it is hard to see any other result on Sunday.

Winner’s Man does throw in the odd poor run though. He looked undercooked when 3rd behind Raon First in last November’s President’s Cup, and he was out of sorts when 4th on his seasonal re-appearance at class 1 level over 1800M in February. He was giving 8kg away that day but with all due respect to that day’s winner Flat Babe, Winner’s Man shouldn’t have been losing to her.

As for those who can take advantage should the favourite be below his best, TUHONUI BANSEOK looks the most likely. He was another who had an off day in that February Class 1 behind Flat Babe although in finishing 3rd, he did at least beat Winner’s Man. He ran 2nd in the Herald Business building on his breakthrough performance when 3rd in the Grand Prix Stakes, when he made excellent ground to almost catch Winner’s Man and Raon The Fighter. One of two in the race for trainer Bart Rice along with lively outsider Jessieui Kkum, Tuhonui Banseok will be a clear second-favourite again.

Tunhonui Banseok isn’t the only one in the gate to have finished ahead of Winner’s Man. SIMJANGUI GODONG did that when 2nd to Raon First when attempting to defend his President’s Cup (2000M KOR-G1) last November. He skipped the Herald Business but returned to the winner’s circle at Class 1 level over 2000M in April.  Moon Se-young returns to the ride and he is a clear place chance again.

The top-three in the Herald Business was rounded out by BARBARIAN, a length and a quarter in arrears of Tuhonui Banseok. He too will be backed to place again. BLACK MASK had a poor day at the office in the Herald Business but shapes as the next best in what will be a final Group race ride for the retiring jockey Ham Wan-sik.

The YTN Cup is race 8 on Sunday’s 11-race card at Seoul Racecourse with a local post time of 16:10.

YTN Cup Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (May 29)

The second leg of the Stayer Series, the YTN Cup (2000M KOR-G3) highlights the 11-race Sunday card at Seoul which runs from 10:45 to 18:00 while at Busan there is a class 1 sprint headlining the 6-race program from 12:00 to 16:45. Click here for a runner-by-runner guide to the YTN Cup. Here is the race-by-race:

Moonhak Chief won the YTN Cup during his breakout 2019 season (Pic: KRA)

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens open the program with four of the twelve racing for the very first time. (7) DAPHNE has hinted at some ability when 3rd over 1000M at start number three last December. She hasn’t raced since but looked well when 2nd in a trial on May 6th and from a likely on pace position, she has as good a chance as any here. (3) OKCHEON CHOEGANG has finished in 4th place in both outings so far, both of them over this distance and most recently when beating a couple of today’s rivals on April 30th. He’ll be challenging Daphne for the early lead and has every chance of going all the way. (6) CHOEGO BLACK was 5th behind Okcheon Choegang on what was his debut on April 30th. He should have come on for that run and can get closer today. Of the first-time starters, (4) EURO TEUKGEUP improved in his second trial and from a great draw can go well first up. (9) KINGS EYE another in the frame after an adequate debut.

Selections(7) Daphne (3) Okcheon Choegang (6) Choego Black (4) Euro Teukgeup
Next Best9, 2
Fast Start1, 2, 3, 7

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Filly maidens only here. (5) TIFFANY BLUE looks to be the one to beat following an on-pace narrow runner-up finish over 1300Mon April 10th. She has run well at this distance too and with an apprentice jockey taking 3kg off her back, she looks extremely well in here. (6) SWEET KAKAO similarly gets the benefit of an apprentice claim, in her case a full 4kg. That brings her down from her back-to-back 4th places in her latest two where she has settled behind the early speed and run on. There isn’t much early speed here so she should be on the pace and can go all the way. (10) NAMSAN KKOT was 5th behind Sweet Kakao on her latest appearance on May 1st having run 4th the time before that and should be in at least the placing frame here. (2) HAMPYEONG FIGHTER and (11) NAEGILUI BYEOL are others who can enter the calculations.

Selections(5) Tiffany Blue (6) Sweet Kakao (10) Namsan Kkot (2) Hampyeong Fighter
Next Best11, 4
Fast Start2, 4, 5, 6

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

It has been a full forty-nine weeks since we last saw (7) VICTORY SAM in a race. He did quite well that day to, running 2nd over 1000M on her third career outing. She has had setbacks since but seemed very much over them with a bold showing in a trial on April 22nd when she led from gate to wire. She couldn’t really pick a nicer race to return in and despite her absence, she will be a strong favourite here. (4) SHINE MUSIC is yet finish in the top-two places in fifteen starts but she has shown some consistency in her latest few outings and comes in off a useful enough 5th at her latest start on May 8th. She can settle behind the early leaders here and run into some money. (3) FAMILY CAPTAIN has a 2nd place to his name at this distance three starts back and after two indifferent spins when carrying 56kg, gets a 4kg allowance with an apprentice climbing aboard. That should bring him into the placing frame here. (12) GLOBAL CASTLE and (2) BEST BIG BANG are others in the hunt.

Selections(7) Victory Sam (4) Shine Music (3) Family Captain (12) Global Castle
Next Best2, 5
Fast Start3, 5, 7, 11

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old filly maidens in the South Coast opener. (1) QUEEN ALLIE gets the nod following an encouraging debut over 1200M on May 6th when she settled back before running on well for 2nd place. She should have come on for that run, she has a great draw, and the additional half furlong should pose no problems. (8) HANEUL JILJU has improved across her three starts to date, culminating in 3rd place last time out when leading until the closing stages. She will be on pace again and should be in this a long way. (5) ALL CROWN already has positive experience at this distance, running a good 2nd at it on her latest appearance on March 20th. She settled back and ran on and similar can be expected here. (9) STAR CATCH ad (2) CROWD ONE are others with at least placing claims.

Selections(1) Queen Allie (8) Haneul Jilju (5) All Crown (9) Star Catch
Next Best2, 6
Fast Start2, 6, 8, 10

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

Fillies only here and while plenty enter in good form, (7) RAON THE WEEKEND is the one to beat. Her solitary win to date came at this distance in a good time at class 6 level three starts back and since then she has run well in two attempts at this level. First, she overcame gate thirteen to get to the speed but ultimately end up 6th over 1200M and then most recently, on April 9th, went right back after a slow start but finished off well for 4th. With a better start today, she will prove hard to go past. (4) INVICTUS is the logical second pick. Her win over 1200M at class 6 at the beginning of April had been coming and she showed she can measure up at this level when 4th over 1400M on May 1st. She can sit on the speed or settle back and run on and should be a factor here. (2) GREEN JJANG took a couple of tries to get to grips with this level but has been coming back into form in her latest two, especially her last start 2nd at 1200M. From a good draw, she can be on the speed here and go close. (11) CUPID JUMBO and the up in class (6) V QUEEN among others in the hunt.

Selections(7) Raon The Weekend (4) Invictus (2) Green Jjang (11) Cupid Jumbo
Next Best6, 5
Fast Start2, 3, 7, 9

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

(7) GEUMA INFINITE ran a solid 3rd place on debut over 1300M on May 8th when settling midfield and finishing off well. The additional half-furlong should suit and with some natural improvement from that run, he should be winning this. He will be a hot favourite in a field where the form of the rest is less than convincing. (2) BOUNTY HUNTER doesn’t look in any danger of winning a race, but he has picked up minor money on five of eleven occasions so far. An apprentice brings him down 3kg in the weights here and from a good draw, he can be aiming for a career best finish. (10) MILK DAY too has been loitering around the minors, most recently beating a couple of these on his way to 4th place over 1300M on May 13th. The wide gate shouldn’t matter, and he looks a solid placing chance. (5) THE PRINCESS and (8) YEONGGWANGUI RIDER others who can find some minor money although the latter does tend to save his best for barrier trials.

Selections(7) Geuma Infinite (2) Bounty Hunter (10) Milk Day (5) The Princess
Next Best8, 4
Fast Start4, 6, 8, 10

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

After seven top-five finishes, it’s about time (7) REMARKABLE finally came home in top. He enters after back-to-back 3rd places at class and distance, both in good times and once more carries a light weight. He draws fairly, and today can be his day. (6) NONSTOP CAT enters off two consecutive runner-up finishes at class and distance, both times having been drawn wide. From a better gate today, he can pose a threat again.  (1) K N SKETCH is up in class following a maiden win over 1300M on May 1st when he sat behind the leader before taking things up just before the furlong pole and never looking back. He draws well for Antonio to sit handy here and he should measure up at this level. (12) COMPLETE WEAPON was a winner at start number two at 1200M on April 2nd. It wasn’t a fast time, but he looks to have potential the wide draw isn’t too much of a concern. (5) CONCORDE SPURT among others with placing chances.

Selections(7) Remarkable (6) Nonstop Cat (1) K N Sketch (12) Complete Weapon
Next Best5, 3
Fast Start6, 7, 8, 9
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