Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million
Three-year-old maidens in the opener and it’s competitive. (8) VILLARRICA was a much-improved 2nd at start number four over this distance on April 29th when ridden handy and running on in a quick time on a wet track. He can sit behind the speed again here and can go one better. (11) NINE EAGLE has a 2nd and a 3rd from two starts so far, both over today’s trip. He has been on pace both times so the wide gate can be a challenge, but he should be close again. (1) KING GO TAEYANG improved to 4th at start number two on May 13th when settling midfield and running on. Third-up he can be peaking fitness wise and from a good draw shouldn’t be far away. (4) TESTA BLUE and (6) PURPLE SHINHWA are others with placing chances.
| Selections | (8) Villarrica (11) Nine Eagle (1) King Go Taeyang (4) Testa Blue |
| Next Best | 6, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 5, 11 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million
It’s fair to say that (1) SPEAR GOLD has mixed her form across her eight starts so far but her latest effort on April 29th was encouraging. She led for much of the way around on a wet track over this distance and ultimately ran a close 3rd. She draws nicely to get an easy run to the lead again and she can be in this a long way. (6) AKKAENGI has finished no worse than 6th in four appearances so far. His times haven’t been quick, but he has a 3rd place to his name and in this company may well be ridden further forward than he has been previously. Antonio, who rode him to that 3rd, climbs back aboard. Those two in either order are the clear top two picks (8) FIRST CHOUX and (7) TI AMO have hinted at ability while (11) NEMO SPIRIT is another who may improve.
| Selections | (1) Spear Gold (6) Akkaengi (8) First Choux (7) Ti Amo |
| Next Best | 11, 10 |
| Fast Start | 1, 6, 7, 10 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
A regular maiden to kick things off on the south coast and three of the eleven are racing for the first time. One of those newcomers will be a warm favourite. That’s (3) CHAMSARANGGIL, who went through two trials in similarly quick times, crossing the line 1st in the latter having been on pace throughout. She draws nicely and if she brings that form to the races, she has every chance of a first-up success. It isn’t a strong race. Of the experienced ones, (7) SEVEN QUEEN has been getting closer over her latest few starts culminating in a 3rd place over 1200M on April 21st when coming from off the pace. She has by far the smartest finish among these and should be running on strong again. (8) TAURUS KING could be one at odds. He did nothing in his first two appearances and got sent back to trial after the second of them. He had three months off during which time he was gelded, and he looked much better trialling up behind Chamsaranggil. (4) HAVE A GOOD YEAR and (6) RUNNING FASHION are others in the placing frame.
| Selections | (3) Chamsaranggil (7) Seven Queen (8) Taurus King (4) Have A Good Year |
| Next Best | 6, 10 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3 4, 11 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
(5) SOARA TO TO is the one to beat here. She has shown progress across her three starts to date, culminating in a 3rd place over this distance on May 13th when she was on pace throughout and didn’t go down by much. She carries the same weight here, draws well to be on or close to the speed, and she won’t need to improve by much in order to win. (9) HEY MAMA also seems to be on the right trajectory since returning from eight months out in April. She has a 5th and a 4th in two subsequent starts and third-up this preparation she may be peaking fitness wise. (2) TAEPYEONGMU only very narrowly beaten into 2nd on May 6th over this distance. From a good gate, she will be on pace and can be in this a long way. (8) BLUE ARCH and (7) MADE STAR other potential improvers.
| Selections | (5) Soara To To (9) Hey Mama (2) Taepyeongmu (8) Blue Arch |
| Next Best | 7, 4 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 8, 9 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
(10) PURPLE STAR shapes as the warm favourite here. She comes in off a 2nd and a 3rd from her latest two, both over today’s trip and both times from on pace. She has the challenge of a wider gate this time, but she looks ready to win. The logical second pick is (5) SUCCESS YEONGGWANG. His most recent, on May 14th, was his best, when he led for almost the entire way only to be caught late on. The same apprentice jockey once more takes 3kg off his back and he has every chance of going close again. (8) WONDERFUL IMPACT was slowly away last time out when well beaten over 1400M. That was out of character and with a better jump today she has placing claims. (11) EVERY KING IJI and (1) ANY SINGS others in the frame.
| Selections | (10) Purple Star (5) Success Yeonggwang (8) Wonderful Impact (11) Every King Iji |
| Next Best | 1, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 9, 10 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
(1) CUPID CHIC is the standout here. Her most recent on May 13th was her best so far when she overcame gate ten to get on to the speed and ended up a narrowly beaten 2nd. She comes up to this trip for the first time but there’s no reason why it can’t suit, and from a much better gate, she can get to the front again and this time go one better. (4) CHALLANHAN POKPUNG stepped up to this trip last time out on May 14th and recorded his second consecutive 3rd place finish racing handily throughout and stopping the clock in a faster time than any of the others have managed for the distance. Moon Se-young gets on today and he should be aiming to match or better. (9) LAST PITCH was 4th behind Challanhan Pokpung in that May 14th race. A similar run will put him in the finish here. (3) AREUMDAUN SAI and (6) MENI SHARK are the other placing possibles.
| Selections | (1) Cupid Chic (4) Challanhan Pokpung (9) Last Pitch (3) Areumdaun Sai |
| Next Best | 6, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 9, 10, 11 |
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Competitive race with two standouts. (7) BLUE CAPTAIN has just the one win from nineteen starts but is seemingly working towards another and was a close 2nd over 1300M last time out on May 19th when handy throughout. He only comes up 1kg in the weights and can sit just behind the speed and finish well. The main danger is (8) BLUE SKY. She too has just the one win, but she has finished in the top five on seven of nine occasions, including last time out when 3rd in a good time at this class and distance. In this company she can be expected to be on the speed, and she can win. The form drops off significantly after those two. (1) ACE HORANGI may be better for the drop back in trip, with (5) TAEWANG SINGI and (3) E CASH other possible improvers.
| Selections | (7) Blue Captain (8) Blue Sky (1) Ace Horangi (5) Taewang Singi |
| Next Best | 3, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 8, 9 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Fillies and mares only and not a strong race for the level which does make it a race of many chances. (3) LONDON QUEEN has led in both her lates two starts and has seen an uptick in form ultimately finishing 4th and 2md, both at this distance and most recently in a very quick time on a wet track. She comes up a couple of kilos today, but she draws well to lead again, and this time can go all the way. (8) HONEY PUNCH is two stats into a comeback following ten months out. She was considered good enough last year to get her chance in a Triple Tiara race, and she improved to 2nd on her second start back on May 21st, coming from off the pace. She does come up in the weights, but the additional half furlong can suit, and she could strip even fitter here. (5) WIDAEHAN HANMA could only manage 6th when well backed behind London Queen last time out. She was going very well at this distance prior to that though and is worth another chance here. The up in class (1) TUHON TEUKGEUP along with (11) TROT QUEEN are others to consider.
| Selections | (3) London Queen (8) Honey Punch (5) Widaehan Hanma (1) Tuhon Teukgeup |
| Next Best | 11, 6 |
| Fast Start | 5, 6, 7, 9 |
Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(4) GRAPHENE RAP WORLD had a hard time in the Luna Stakes, the first leg of the Triple Tiara series at the end of April and accordingly skipped last week’s Oaks to re-enter shallower waters. And while not a bad race, she should find this relatively shallow. Well weighted, back in trip and drawn in a good gate, she should win. (10) RUN AND GUN had a hard time in a mile race of her own last time out. She tends to get a bit far back, but she has some fast times for this distance and even in a race where nothing carries much weight, under 51kg is hard to ignore. (1) LOUD COLOR returned from five months out to register her maiden win at 1200M in April. She promptly followed up with a 3rd place at this class, again over the six furlongs. She comes up in trip here, but it can suit, and she should be on pace. (3) USEUNG YEOGEOL and (6) QUALITY QUEEN are others in at least the placing frame.
| Selections | (4) Graphene Rap World (10) Run And Gun (1) Loud Color (3) Useung Yeogeol |
| Next Best | 6, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 4, 11 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(1) COMPLETE LEVEL was a very good winner at start number three on April 29th, settling midfield before running on in a very quick time on a wet track over 1200M. That brings him rapidly up in class, as well as slightly in trip, but from the inside gate, he has every chance of measuring up. (6) GEOLJAK DREAM was sent off as favourite at class and distance on April 29th and probably will be again. Despite leading, she could only manage 2nd that day but he only comes up 1kg in the weights, she has some great times at this distance (although as with the time of Complete Level on April 29th, that particular one was artificially fast), and she could win here. (7) SEOUL CROWN beat Geoljak Dream to win that class and distance race and while he comes up 3kg in the weights, warrants more respect this time. (8) THE REAPER and (4) HWASUBOON among others in the hunt.
| Selections | (1) Complete Level (6) Geoljak Dream (7) Seoul Crown (8) The Reaper |
| Next Best | 4, 3 |
| Fast Start | 1, 6, 7, 9 |
Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1800M) Special Weight B / KRW 60 Million
(4) WONDERFUL CHANCE was a winner over this distance at class 5 level two starts back before running 5th on his first try at this class on May 26th when he used up plenty of early energy to get to a handy position from gate eleven. He carries the same weight but comes into a much better gate and should get a kinder route to the front. He is the one to beat. (10) DEMON SPY shapes as the main danger. He won at this class and distance in March and has run fairly for 5th and 3rd in two starts since. He has the fastest time among these for the distance and while he draws a touch wide again, he has overcome it in his latest two. (11) LINE BREAKER also has experience of running well from a wide gate as he did when 3rd over this class and distance in March. He carries plenty of weight again but can be competitive. (8) I WILL BE FREE and (9) DOCTOR PHARAOH among others to consider.
| Selections | (4) Wonderful Chance (10) Demon Spy (11) Line Breaker (8) I Will Be Free |
| Next Best | 9, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 5, 8 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
This is quite the clash. (7) RAON EMPIRE is half-sister to Raon The Fighter and comes up in class having scored her second win over 1200M on May 7th when handy throughout and running on to score well. She comes down significantly in the weights and while she prebaby isn’t going to emulate big brother, she is turning into a very nice filly. However, she runs into (8) HIGH GRAND. He fought an epic stretch duel last time out with another Raon, Raon American, which ended with the pair dead-heating for the win over 1400M at this class. Raon American got beaten on his reappearance last week and High Grand does come up 4.5kg in the weights, but she still should present a formidable test. Those two should fill out the quinella but there are a few other good ones. (2) MAGLE DAY comes up in class and down in weight following a good win over 1200M on May 14th. He can be competitive. (5) DREAM YEOWANG and (4) JANGSAN GUARD should also be aiming for that final place.
| Selections | (7) Raon Empire (8) High Grand (2) Magle Day (5) Dream Yeowang |
| Next Best | 4, 1 |
| Fast Start | 3, 6, 7, 8 |
Busan Race 6: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(11) CAPTAIN GOLD will be the favourite here. In eleven starts, he has never been worse than 4th and comes in after a good run in a valuable trophy race over 1200M on May 14th. He steps up to the mile for the first time, but he has won over 1400M and while he tends to go best when on pace, the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and he can win here. He does have a liking for coming 2nd though and if one proves too quick today, it might be (4) YEONGGWANGUI FIGHT. He enters of a strong 3rd place at class and distance on May 7th when coming from right off the pace and under a light weight and from a good gate, he should be close. (2) SONHADOR ran 5th behind Captain Gold in that trophy race a month ago and looks nicely in her under a light weight. (8) ALIVE STAR and (9) ECHO SUN the other logical picks to dispute the minors.
| Selections | (11) Captain Gold (4) Yeonggwangui Fight (2) Sonhador (8) Alive Star |
| Next Best | 9, 7 |
| Fast Start | 4, 6, 9, 11 |
Seoul Race 8: Class Open (1800M) Korean Derby (KOR G1) / KRW 1 Billion
The second leg of the Triple Crown and it’s as wide open a race as there has ever been what with the dominant winner of the first leg, Betelgeuse, being injured. (9) NAOL SNIPER will probably be favourite. He has had his injury issues too, missing the KRA Cup Mile but he previously ran a strong 2nd in the Sports Seoul Trophy and is a winner over this distance at class 4 level. It is his first start for twelve weeks so there are concerns, but he has as good a chance as any. (15) WORLD LEGEND ran 5th in the Cup Mile having drawn a similarly wide gate. He ran well though and the step up to 1800M should suit him. He will need luck from another awful draw. That’s true too for (16) SOMETHING LOST, who would probably be favourite if he had drawn ten gets inside. He won the Sports Seoul Trophy and then gave Betelgeuse a run for his money in the Cup Mile, finishing 2nd. He proved in the Cup Mile that he doesn’t need to lead though so he shouldn’t be ruled out. (10) NUT PLAY was fast finishing in the Cup Mile and the two-time 1600M winner looks as though the further the distance, the better he can get. Look for him attacking late on. (5) YEOSU FIGHTER and (13) SPEED YOUNG among many others for whom a case can be made.
| Selections | (9) Naol Sniper (15) World Legend (16) Something Lost (10) Nut Play |
| Next Best | 5, 13 |
| Fast Start | 8, 9, 12, 16 |
Busan Race 7: Class 1 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million
(8) DAEMANGUI GIL is developing a bit of a case of second-itis having been runner up on four of his last five starts with the other being tough time behind Raon The Fighter in Group company. He just got there too late when most of these raced each other at 1200M on May 5th and back up to the mile today, he can reverse that form. (11) PRO CONSUL returned to form with a win over 1800M on May 28th when handy throughout. He has run some great times at a mile and can keep his form going here. (3) HIT YEGAM won that race over 1200M on May 5th, taking full advantage of the inside gate to get on to the lead and never looked back. This will be harder, but he draws well, and he too has a good record at a mile (including winning the KRA Cup Mile in 2021). (2) SUCCESS MACHO returns to action after a lengthy time away. He looked well in a trial at the end of April and while he will need this, if he can show anything like his former talent, he can be in the mix. (7) HAPPY FEVER, a last start class and distance winner, is another to keep safe.
| Selections | (8) Daemangui Gil (11) Pro Consul (3) Hit Yegam (2) Success Macho |
| Next Best | 7, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 5, 9 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(8) FARCIARZ should be returning to winning ways today. He has been beaten into 2nd place as favourite in both his latest two starts, both at 1200M and both times by good winners. He comes back up to a mile for the first time since running 2nd to the excellent Nut Play (although we may want to reconsider the use of “excellent” depending on how Nut Play ran in the Derby an hour ago) and he can be on or close to the speed here and can win. (1) WINNER BLUE comes in off a runner-up finish at this class over 1700M on May 7th when he settled back and ran on. He comes up 2.5kg in the weights but should get an easy run to sit handy on the inside and can be strong late on here. (2) MORNING PRINCE is up in class after a good win over 1700M. He comes down a full 4kg in the weights and can measure up here. (7) STAR BLADE and (3) MAGIC HOUR are others who can enter the calculations.
| Selections | (8) Farciarz (1) Winner Blue (2) Morning Prince (7) Star Blade |
| Next Best | 3, 5 |
| Fast Start | 3, 5, 8, 10 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(2) JEOLDAE GACHI shapes as a warm favourite for the last. A winner at this distance at class 6 level in March, he followed up with back-to-back runner-up finishes to come up to this class. He likes to race on pace or handy so is ideally draw, he comes down a full 4.5kg in the weights, and he may take some beating. (9) PHOENIX SERVE is the main danger. She won at class and distance on May 13th, racing on pace throughout and while up 2.5kg, she is still nicely in and can be competitive again. (11) MOONHAK SONG is yet to finish in the top two but has raced consistently. She is done no favours by the draw as she likes to lead but something a bit different today could be to her benefit and she carries a very light weight. (8) GOLD POWER and (4) NAMSAN JUMONG are others in the hunt.
| Selections | (2) Jeoldae Gachi (9) Phoenix Serve (11) Moonhak Song (8) Gold Power |
| Next Best | 4, 6 |
| Fast Start | 7, 8, 9, 11 |
