Seoul Holiday Monday: Race-by-Race Preview (March 2)

There will be a rare Monday gathering this week to mark the Memorial Day weekend holiday. The races are in Seoul with 10 from 10:35 am to 5:55 pm (there are also pony races on Jeju Island). Here are the previews:

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

(5) EVER LOVELY did nothing on its debut in December, but was a much improved 2^i.e with odds of 60/1 over this distance on February 1^stracing nimbly and although well beaten by Super Ttangkong, she showed enough to suggest she can win this. (2) WEAK PLAY was also disappointing on debut when 9^e from twelve to January 17^ebut he looked good in a trial earlier and could be a better runner-up. (6) JEJU BLUE was 6^e upon debut on that same January 17^e breed and with some natural improvement she can get closer to this. (10) GIANT THUNDER was slow in its debut, but has since been back on trial and looked much better, so it’s worth another chance today. (8) GRAND COURAGE was the best of the debutants in tests.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A/KRW 25 Million

Very weak race, but that’s by design as it’s for girls who have made at least five starts and no placings. Someone’s going to Hollywood, but who? Maybe (7) STORMBACHER. She has set some good times in six starts and has the least slow exit speed. That suggests she can lead and stay there. (4) Of these, MJ VET has the fastest time for the 1300M, the second fastest average first furlong time and the fastest average last furlong time. That will probably be enough to make him a favorite. (8) DUSON LIFE scores well on the same metrics and could be in the mix. (1) WHIZ GOLD and (5) NEW COWBOY others who could enter a race that, while quite fascinating from a punt angle, will probably need an asterisk next to it in form guides in the future.

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

(9) SU BU TAI has made progress in its six starts to date, coming off back-to-back 3^rd places above 1400M. That means he’ll be rated in the top three and higher in class for every finish, and it could very well be a win. (8) QUERENCIA has mixed its form across five appearances, but has a couple of fours^e places in his name. He has completed his races well enough and the small step up in today’s trip could turn out well. (2) SUNGANUI FIGHTER is another one that’s closer and was last 4^e at 1200M on January 17^e. He pulls better today and is also someone for whom the 1400M can be an advantage. (1) AGAIN GOOD MAN and (7) SAHARA ROSE are other place chances.

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

Only mares and mares here. (4) RAON FINALLE had been working towards a first victory and that came on her first attempt in this class over this distance on January 11^e when it is useful everywhere and turns out to be too strong. She weighs 4 kg, but that is compensated by returning to the company of fillies and mares and with a good draw she can win again. (2) COSMO LONG achieved its first victory at this distance on January 31^st on what was starting number four. She comes out of class but is light in weight and from a good gate she can be competitive. (9) LOVE IN SEOUL is also at the top of the class after a first victory, in its case with a lead of more than 1300 million. She can get up to speed again and go a long way. (8) BEAUTIFUL PEARL and (6) SMART SOCKS other place opportunities.

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

Very competitive race. (2) UNJU CLEAR ran 2^i.e on his debut before winning over 1200 million on start two in late December. She is in class, but comes in fresh after nine weeks off and, thanks to a good draw, she has great chances here. (8) SUPERDAY achieved his first victory when he asked for this distance for the fourth time on February 1^st. He comes to the front of the class, but has lost 2kg and should be a big threat. (3) GHOST had a good first winner at this distance in November. She hasn’t raced or attempted since, so competitive fitness must be taken on faith, but at light weight and nicely marked she can be on the early speed and in the finish. (4) GEOSON PUNCH and (11) CHOEGO GOLD among many other opportunities.

Seoul Race 6: Handicap Class 4 (1400M) / KRW 60 million

(6) JD GANGJA was 5^e in the publicly traded juvenile company last October, before taking a spin in the G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie, which he found to be a tough ask. He has since returned to form with a 3^rd and a win, both at this distance and although that puts him in class today, he can win again. (11) TAEYANGUI JEONSA was behind JD Gangja in that mentioned race, but won back-to-back races in October and December before the legs ran off him when a distant 2^i.e to Di Ne on January 10^e. He likes to lead the way, so the widest gate may not be ideal, but in the absence of Di Ne types, she’s an opportunity. (2) TIGER ROAR sits at the top of its class after winning this distance on January 24^e and under a light weight and a good draw she can measure herself. (3) RAON SILENCE and (10) HANMADIMALDO the best of the rest, in a pretty deep field.

Seoul Race 7: Handicap Class 4 (1700M) / KRW 60 million

Since an inauspicious debut, (6) COMPLETE BRO has never finished outside the top four in six consecutive starts, winning twice and coming in with a run of 4^e on his first attempt at this distance on January 24^e. When the entire tempo is shown. That experience should serve him well here and he can win under a very light weight. (10) BULGEUNTAEYANG is the best in his class and won over this distance on January 17^eestablish midfield and run further. He has lost weight, but CC Wong remains on and he can be competitive. (11) SEOUL DOLPING was a winner in this class, riding two races back before riding two^i.e on January 31^st. A student keeps his weight nice and low, and he can be a danger again. (5) POWER ETCHED ran 2^i.e before Complete Bro on January 24th^e race and was able to qualify again. (9) BEAUTIFUL WELLS mixes form, but on her day is a chance.

Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 million

(6) JJARITHAN HAENGBOK has a 3^rda 2^i.e and a 4^e from three starts so far and has defeated many of today’s rivals along the way. He is on track in this company and he should really make his breakthrough. (3) SEJONG POWER was 5^e to Jjarithan Haengbok’s 4^e more than 1300 million as of January 25^e. A big draw put him well off the pace and with a final furlong average time half a second faster than everyone else here, he can pose a late challenge. The form decreases significantly after those two. (4) CAN B GREAT has a 4^e among his three starts so far and that’s enough to have him in the numbers. (5) MY SUPERMAN and (1) CLOVER TOP other potential improvers.

Seoul Race 9: Handicap Class 3 (1600M) / KRW 75 million

(4) MIGHTY EVER won two of his first three and is working back on another, most recently with 2^i.e in this class and distance on January 18^e. The same student keeps his weight low and based on a good draw he seems to be the player to beat. (9) NANO MASIN has been back in form recently and won in this class over 1400M on February 1^st. He is 3kg heavier, but he is a two-time mile winner and is a danger here. (3) REMEMBER AGAIN that he was on pace at 1800 in his last three times. He falls back to a ride where he is past two for two and he is doing well to be back on pace today. (2) WORLD BLAME and (7) VELOX BOY others on the hunt.

Seoul Race 10: Handicap Class 2 (1400M) / KRW 90 million

(8) CAPTAIN PK last won in a monsoon rain in a valuable Trophy race at the International weekend last September, but he is 2^i.e in both his last two 1400M and 1200M in this class, racing close to the pace both times. Today a student is called in to bring his weight back and that may be enough to see him come out on top. (10) ELDORADO NOLBU finished in second place over 1400M, last in this class on January 31^st if you get well off the pace and beat three of today’s rivals. He is a great danger. (4) EAST JUMP was also winner of the Trophy race last international weekend and although he has struggled in tough company in his last two years, this seems a better assignment. (6) GWANAKSAN O TWO and (2) HANGANG BOSS others in the frame.