Busan Friday: Race-by-Race Preview (February 13)

The last weekend before the short New Year’s holiday starts on Friday in Busan with a 9-race card from 11:15 to 17L55. Here are the previews:

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

(11) DOCTOR CHAMP returned from over three months and ran a close 2^i.e over this distance on January 30^eracing at pace. He has the challenge of a big draw here, but should get fitter for that run and has solid claims. (1) MAGIC OF ART is released with an improved 3^rd at start three over 1200M on January 23^rd when she followed the leaders and made good progress. She is doing well and doing the same today and this time he can win. (5) THE POINT was also an improved 2^i.e at start four on December 28^e if you are on pace everywhere. Afterwards it turned out that he had bled, but he passed his mandatory trial at the end of January well and has a chance here. (12) CHOEGANG HAPPY and (10) HUIMANG LOGI others in the frame.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A/KRW 30 million

(9) SUCCESS DAY has a 3^rd and a 4^e of his last two, most recently beating a pair of today’s rivals on January 16^e if you are on pace everywhere. He can be on pace here and go a long way again. (11) KISS THE RAIN has made steady progress through four starts to date, with his latest being his best then 2^i.e on his first attempt at 1400M on November 16^e when you are in the lead for much of the way. He faces the widest gate, but he doesn’t need to improve much to win it. (2) DIA (4) FANTASTIC BOSS and (3) OASIS RUBY are others on the hunt.

Busan Race 3: Handicap Class 5 (1300M) / KRW 45 million

Only mares and fillies here. (2) DOLPHIN KICK has yet to win in ten, but she has nine top five finishes, including her last when she was almost 2^i.e in this class and distance on January 23^rd when you race conveniently anywhere. She’s drawing well here to be on or close to the pace and today could be her day. (9) FLEX TAP has a 4^e and a 3^rd of her last two at 1200M and 1300M and she can continue her positive form here, probably thanks to the pace in this company. (12) GRAND TREE fell very quickly in late December during a slow race in this class and distance, but was later found to be somewhat crippled. He has been back to work since January 24^e and can get another chance here. (7) JOY OF QUEEN along with (11) TWO TWO Flies are other place chances.

Busan Race 4: Handicap Class 5 (1300M) / KRW 45 million

The second division of the fillies and mares at class 5 level. (8) YEOUN was an absolute winner on his debut in a filly over 1200M on January 9^e. She moves up in class, but weighs less and has every chance to measure up in this company. (11) ARI DRAGON was a winner on his debut last summer and followed this up with a 2^i.e place in this class over 1400M before being out of action for the next almost six months. She returned on January 11 with a second place in this class and distance^e and she can strip fitter today and will probably start as favourite. (3) STAY COOL was the first winner over the 1400M two starts back and then ran a fair 5^e on her first attempt in this class on January 18^e and can get closer today. (2) BLACK TREE and (7) WONDER MOCCASIN others on the hunt.

Busan Race 5: Handicap Class 5 (1800M) / KRW 45 million

(9) NINETY PLUS returned in December after almost a year’s absence and has run 5 since then^e twice, most recently his first attempt at this distance on January 25^e in defeating a few contemporary rivals. He may have benefited from that experience, Franco knows him well, and as a third of this preparation he can deliver a top performance in terms of fitness. (4) SOMANGUIGIL is not a winner of eight, but is getting closer with a 3^rd and most recently his first 2^i.e place, scored at a mile on January 4^e. It will be at 1800M for the first time, and that is possible. (8) VORTEX steps up in class and trip after maiden 1600M win on January 18^e and a weight of 3 kg can measure up, (2) DORAON SAMSON and (10) WORLD TAEYANG are the next best.

Busan Race 6: Handicap Class 4 (1600M) / KRW 60 million

(3) SENSATIONAL WIN hasn’t recorded a single win yet, let alone a sensational one, but after an inauspicious debut last August, he returned in November to finish 2^i.e in three consecutive starts at 1200M. He improves significantly in today’s trip and it could be what he needs to cross the line, sensational or otherwise, at the front. (5) TUHON FIGHTER needs a pass in his final moment when he failed to land a blow over 1800 meters from a wide draw. He’s coming back from a trip that saw him take one win and three placings from four attempts and poses a serious threat here. (11) WORLD HIT comes in from a class and distance 3^rd takes place on January 11^e and can focus on a repeat. Two wins in the class allow (2) SUN JAE to be competitive, while (8) KING’S KING is another player in a competitive race.

Busan Race 7: Handicap Class 3 (1400M) / KRW 90 million

Mares and mares only. (3) WORLD LIST CAT has won four of eleven in total, including once at this distance and came 3^rd two outings back on her first attempt in this class. She showed don pace last time when she was favorite on January 9^e but weakened and was later found lame in the foreground. She has been back to work since January 25^e and can get another chance here as a favorite. (4) MAX THE DRAGON has a 3^rd and a 4^e of her last two, both in this class over a mile. She can get a little far back in her races because she is underweight and can be a danger. (6) TOHAMSAN TAEYANG steps up in class after winning 1800M on January 4^e. She has placed herself at this distance and can measure up in this company. (1) CRAZY ARMY and (10) LEMON PIE are the other main opportunities.

Busan Race 8: Handicap Class 2 (1800M) / KRW 90 million

(4) YOUNG SKYWALKER enters having won his last two, most recently in this class over 2000M on January 18^e if you are on pace everywhere. He is 5kg heavier but has won three times on this trip, including two starts back under a similar gimmick, and could be on his way to big things this year. Young Skywalker’s task on January 18th^e was made easier by scratching (2) OASIS RED, who had exhibited some colicky symptoms. In the end, he didn’t miss any work. 5^e in last year’s Korean Derby he has won three of his last four, also in this class and distance on December 14^e in defeating four of today’s rivals. He also weighs 58 kg and is a threat. (6) INDY GHOST has flown somewhat under the radar with wins in his last two over 1800M. He is higher in the class, but he can compete under a very light weight. (7) UNJU GUY and (1) GEUMA GUTTY others in the hunt in a strong race for the level.

Busan Race 9: Handicap Class 3 (1200M) / KRW 75 million

From January 17 we will be running a class and distance race again^e here and under almost the same weight and from exactly the same gate there is no reason to be against (1) PACHAMAMA repeating its victory. She was the favorite that day and she duly did so, leading from gate to wire. As a result, there are four out of seven at this distance and she can win again. (9) NONS-TOP SERVICE was 2^i.e in that race and just like at Pachamama there is no reason why he can’t repeat. (10) YULIM SESANG turned 3^rd in that race and at the risk of repeating ourselves, he can repeat too. If that race fails to impress, veteran (8) GOLDEN can place alternatives along with (4) HANEUL BOSS.