Busan Friday: Race-by-Race Preview (January 23)

The race weekend starts on Friday in Busan with 9 races from 11:15 am to 5:55 pm. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A/KRW 45 million

Three-year-old girls, six of the twelve of whom are racing for the first time. (7) OASIS STAR is the only one in the field who has already played twice, after a 5^e place on debut with a 3^rd over this distance on January 2^i.e if you drive away slowly but continue driving. His times haven’t been fast, but he should be ahead of his rivals in terms of fitness. (8) DELTA FORCE wasn’t ready when he was tried last summer, but after being put away for a few months, he came through just fine on December 13th.^ehe won his heat in fast time with a front-running effort. If he takes that to races, he has every chance of being first (3) VELOCI QUEEN was a fair 4^e with great chances on debut after drawing the widest gate. She should have come for that run. (9) TAESAN SHINHWA was 5^e behind Oasis Star on debut and he can also improve. (12) VALUE GAME looked good enough in its trial.

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A/KRW 45 million

Only mares in this girl. (7) ZITA was an improved 3^rd at start number two over 1300M on December 21st^stskillful racing and defeating three of the current rivals. Seo Seung-un continues to climb and today could be the day. (11) WORLD EAGLE CAT comes from a best-to-date 2^i.e at this distance on December 28^e. It was a slow race, but she finished well and the big draw shouldn’t be a problem here. There are two debutants and of them it seems more likely that (4) BEST VALUE will have an immediate impact. She was at pace 2^i.e in her test in a reasonable time and she is doing well to take the lead here. (1) THEMIS and (8) YURIM CHANGA are among others who have hinted at their skills and areas for improvement.

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A/KRW 30 million

(9) SMART YULIM comes to an improved 3^rd at the start of number three over 1200M on December 21st^stovercome a slow start to continue well. The step up in travel may be suitable, and he has every chance here at what could be a one-way price. (4) ONE PLUS ONE was only 6^e from a wide draw last time, but he continues with his 2^i.e place in November at this distance, he has to be taken seriously here and with Seo Seung-un doing well, he will probably start as favorite. (11) TAMNA BRAVO didn’t do much in his first two, but has a 4^e and a 3^rd of his latest pair, most recently when he stepped up to a mile on Boxing Day and led part of the way. He beat a number of today’s rivals and although he goes a little further than ideal, he can keep up the pace and go a long way. (2) JEONGMUN SKIP didn’t do much in his debut in July, but returned on January 2^i.e turning a solid 4^e and should have started running. (10) FINAL ATTACK: A small chance for money.

Busan Race 4: Handicap Class 5 (1400M) / KRW 45 million

Competitive breed. (7) GANGSEO TREND was a winner in its debut over 1200 million in October and followed this up with a rapid 3^rd in his first attempt in this class over 1300M on December 14^edefeating two of today’s rivals. He will be up to speed again here and can push himself to the limit. (5) SHINING ONE got his first win with two starts at 1300M before running 4^e at the same race as Gangseo Trend, which was also his first attempt in this class. There was less than a length between them and he could be a danger here. (3) GEUMSEONG was 2^i.e to Shining World at Class 6 level in November and then to 3^rd on his first attempt in this class and distance on December 19^e. In this company he has to be on pace and be able to reach the finish. (4) CHAMPUI SIDAE and (8) ARION TAEYANG and many others with opportunities.

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

(10) BEOLMAUI GANGJA returned from a four-month absence to take his first win at start three in December and was then a beaten favorite when he took 4^e in this class and distance on January 2^i.e when you drive slowly away from the widest gate. The draw is hardly better today, but with a smoother start he is worth another chance. (7) COME ON GLORY has yet to win in sixteen attempts, but her recent form reads well with a 2^i.e and two 4^e place finishes of her last three and she could be there or there again. (12) SEOGWI CREST was a winner on its debut in November but was somewhat slow on its first attempt in this class on Boxing Day, finishing 5th^e. She is light in weight and could pose a danger here. (5) DOLPHIN KICK and (8) GRAND DREAM are the other placement chances.

Busan Race 6: Handicap Class 5 (1300M) / KRW 45 million

(8) LAMPYOJEONGGEENIE worked steadily towards her first victory, and it was the fourth time she was asked over this distance in a filly on December 21^st when she led the way all the way. She is in this class, but weighs less. Seo Seung-un stays on and she can win again. (1) GOLDEN EMPIRE was sent away as favorite in this class and distance on December 28^e but after a good start was quickly and soundly defeated. We’ll draw a line through that and instead go for his first win at 1200 million in November and give her another chance here. (2) WHITE STAR was a winner on her debut over 1000M and although she struggled in start two in early December, she bounced back with a 4^e place on 1200M on January 2^i.e and could be close to here. (5) FLEX TAP and (6) MAGIC SHOW others in the frame.

Busan Race 7: Handicap Class 4 (1800) / KRW 60 million

A nice race for a Friday. (10) SUPEX WINNER was 2^i.e in his first two outings, including a neck-breaking win at the hands of Wild Park in a listed youth company in September, he went on to score his first win in the G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie, beating Super Aero in a photo finish. That was enough to make him youth champion. He tackles two corners for the first time and can measure himself. Already proven at 1800M (2) it is AMAZING. His trainer regularly sends his youngsters out early and Amazing One recorded back-to-back victories at this distance in November and then in this class on December 28.^e when you beat many of the current rivals. He weighs 2 kg, but pulls well, Seo Seung-un is three for three on him, and he can repeat. (1)ARONDIGHT was 2^i.e to Amazing One on December 28^e racing and being able to get close again. (4) GASOK JEIL and (11) TUHON FIGHTER the best of the rest.

Busan Race 8: Handicap Class 3 (1800M) / KRW 75 million

(8) VICE ROYAL was the winner in this class over one mile on December 26^e if you come from far off the pace to score well. He weighs 2.5kg, but his other previous victory came on this trip, and he has as good a chance as anyone here. (4) WONDAEHAN KKUM returned from a five-month absence and ran 6^e behind Vice Royal in that Boxing Day test. He has to dress fitter for the run and has completed the 1800M one by one. (10) EOHWADUNGDUNG has won its last two, both times over this distance and both times taking the lead from wide draws. He is higher in his class, but lower in weight and he can be competitive. The modestly named (6) THE BEST EVER, along with (3) TAMNA SUPER, are among many others with placement chances.

Busan Race 9: Handicap Class 4 (1400M) / KRW 60 million

(5) AIR CITY hasn’t been the best-mannered so far: it was given two warnings before being taken to court again after going out and putting in a despicable effort on Boxing Day. He also has two wins and a 2^i.e from four starts, and he looked good in his trial last week. Franco is in action for the first time and if Air City behaves he is a winning prospect. (6) RONALD DUCK was a winner in this class on December 12^e more than 1200 million, convenient racing everywhere. He has gained 2.5 kg, but after third place in this preparation, more could follow. (3) RUNNERS HIGH was a winner on its debut before two spins in a publicly traded youth company. He returned to shallower water and to the winner’s circle on December 19^e at 1200 meters and while he is in class and traveling without a weight break, he can measure up. (12) DOCTOR LOUIS and (2) SKY WIN WIN other place odds.