Seoul Saturday: race-by-race preview (February 28)

Saturday’s race is in Seoul with 11 races from 10:35 AM to 5:55 PM. Here are the previews:

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

Three-year-old girls, all but two of whom were racing for the first time. (11) GEUMBIT YEONGUNG underwent three trials and in the last of them, on January 29^ehe came home 1^stdefeating three of the current rivals. He has to be fit for this and can have a chance. (10) GREEN JACKET was a quick winner of his test and stopped the clock in a fast time. If he brings that form to the races he will be in the mix. (4) EVER GLORY also showed herself at the front in her test and crossed the line in 2^i.e place. She is nicely attracted to being on pace and can go a long way with this. (2) TTEUTDAERO and (5) TRIGONUS are others who hinted at their skills in their heats.

Seoul Race 2: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A/KRW 75 Million

Imported three-year-old girls. After winning a test, (4) HERO CHEETAH was a fair 4^e on debut over this distance on February 14^econveniently displayed everywhere. He should have come on for that run and he doesn’t need to improve much to win here. (2) WHIZ STAR beat a few on its way to 6^e of ten on debut over this distance on January 10^e. Nicely drawn, he may have benefited from the experience and may be closer this time. After a good test, (6) BREDO CHAMPION was disappointing on his debut. He has now been back in court and can get another chance here. (1) KN BIGBANG and (7) TAEKWON V are others on the hunt.

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

(8) WISHMASTER has shown progress in three starts to date, with his last being his best when he was 2^i.e at 1200M on January 31st^st if you are on pace everywhere. He will be back up to speed here and is favored to go one better. (5) ROAD TO PERFECT is done with 4^e on both starts so far, the last behind Wishmaster on January 31st^st race. The small step up in the trip can fit and Maia climbs further for the first time. (3) SEMYEONG PEAK is rated 4^e and a 5^e of her last two and in this company she should strive to go better. (2) EODIGADO and (7) BREEDO CALEY others who can improve.

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A/KRW 30 million

Since returning after almost six months (5), KIA ORA has registered a 3^rd and a 2^i.e in two starts back, both at 1400M. This is her first time at this distance, but it can be a good fit and as a third runner she can deliver a top performance in terms of fitness. (7) FIGHTER has sorted things out in three starts so far, with his last two both ending with 4^e place, last over this distance on January 10^e in controlling midfield and running through. That experience could serve him well, and he could become a danger later. (3) BROWN SUGAR Must finish better than 5^e but she has done that in both her last two and in the step to two turns, she can see her better than here. (1) CHEONJI JACKAL and (2) JISAN FRIEND perhaps the best of a limited rest.

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

Fascinating breed. A winner on debut before turning 3^rd in the listed youth company (3) UNICA has been a favorite three times since then, most recently in the fillies-only company at 1300M on February 7^e. She comes down here, she draws well, and we remain faithful. (9) ECLIPSE BOSS was 3^rd on debut before running out and emphatic winner at start number two over this distance on January 17^e if you lead all the way. He’s moving ahead in his class but has lost 2kg and the way he achieved that win means it won’t be a surprise if he repeats it. (2) APATEU was a beaten favorite when 3^rd in this class and distance on January 17^e if you are on pace everywhere. Here too she is on speed and there is another chance. (7) BK DEVIL and (6) TIGER K among many other opportunities.

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

Only mares (and one mare) here. After performing 2^i.e on her debut (5), GEUMJEOKSAN similarly took her first win from the front on the second start in November. She was a beaten favorite when she was 3^rd during her first attempt in this class at 1400M on December 28^e but if she comes in here new, she is definitely worth another chance. (6) BEAUTIFUL DOLPHIN led from gate-to-wire and scored on bib number two on January 24^e. She’s higher up in class and tripping a bit, but neither should be a problem, and she can be competitive again today. (2) GEOLJAK TIARA struggled with a big draw during her first attempt in this class over 1400M on January 18^e. She is one by one on today’s journey and gets another chance from a much better gate. (4) BEST CHEONHA and (11) COMPLETE TOUCH among the other odds.

Seoul Race 7: Handicap Class 5 (1400M) / KRW 45 million

(8) DANAEUN STAR was a solid winner on his debut over 1300M just before Christmas and went on to run 2^i.e on his first attempt in this class and distance on January 24^e when convenient anywhere. Expect similar tactics today, and she could return to winning ways. (11) GWANAKSAN CHAMP won on debut and then took a few tries to figure things out in this class. He comes in on a close 2^i.e at this distance on January 11^e when he was in the lead most of the way, and although he has the challenge of the widest gate, he can be a danger. (7) POWERFUL KNIGHT won at this distance in December before making a long way back in his first appearance in this class on January 24^egather to run 5^e behind Danaeun Star and he could be in the mix. (2) REFLECT and (3) SEUNGNI BAROWS others in at least the placement frame.

Seoul Race 8: Handicap Class 4 (1800M) / KRW 60 million

(4) BLUE SUN has never been outside the top five and has won two of its last three, most recently at this distance on December 27^e if you are on pace everywhere. He is higher in his class but has lost 4kg and if he comes in fresh after two months he can win again. (9) MYEONG POWER returned from five months off to run 3^rd over 1700M in December and then win at this distance on January 11^e when you make everything. He is also higher in class, but is lower in weight and he can measure up. (2) GANGCHEOL JEONSA has two 3^rd places in three attempts in this class, both at this distance and under light weight, he could be there or around there again. (1) TINA K and (8) LUCKY BOOM, who filled in a huge odds quinella last time, others in the mix.

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

(10) DRAGON KILLER has never missed the top three, posting back-to-back wins in Class 4, most recently over 1700 million on November 18^e. He’s in class and has to navigate the tricky outside gate at the start of the mile, but he won from wide last time and can continue his merry way here. (1) JEULGEOUN SANGSANG completed his three-year campaign by winning four in the spin-up to this class and 1800M. That streak came to an end with a midfield finish on January 31^stbut he should not be dismissed here. (5) LONG RUN BULPAE also ran in the first two legs of last year’s Triple Crown, but was a smart 3^rd in a valuable Trophy race over 1200M during an international weekend in September. He hasn’t raced since October, but he looked good at a recent trial, and he could be a factor. (3) SCALE KING and (2) SEGWANG FIGHTER and many more with at least a chance to place.

Seoul Race 10: Handicap Class 2 (2000M) / KRW 90 million

(7) MUSKET DAY won six out of twelve and ran 3^rd on his first attempt in this class over a mile on January 24^e. He is doing the 2000 meters for the first time, but he won the 1800 meters and he can win here under a light weight. (8) DAESEONG-STAR was 2^i.e to Musket Day in class 3 level two starts back, but then switched to this class and distance in style on January 11^e and won convincingly with two of the current rivals behind him. He is 3kg heavier, but he has every chance of a repeat and will likely be betting favourite. (10) BEAUTIFUL NORTHERN was 4^e behind Daeseong Star on January 11^e and can get closer today. (11) MAGLE DAY (6) BROWN GOLD should appreciate both the step back in the trip and the ability to put up a fight.

Seoul Race 11: Handicap Class 4 (1200M) / KRW 60 million

(1) RAON THE CONFIRMED was a beaten favorite in her last two races in the 1400M and 1300M, but did not run badly and finished in 3rd place.^rd and 4^e. She comes into a much better gate today and that makes her worth another chance. (10) WINNER GLORY was a winner over this distance at Class 5 level on January 4^emake everything. She sits in class and may draw a little wider than ideal, but she can measure up. (9) GEOSEN POKJU was a somewhat unexpected class and distance winner on January 11^ewhen he came from well off the pace. He is 3kg heavier, but CC Wong stays on and he should not be dismissed. (3) UNIVERSAL and (2) MIGHTY LOVE among the other odds.