Seoul Saturday: race-by-race preview (January 31)

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 (1300M) Special Weight A/KRW 45 million

Three-year-old girls, five of the eleven of whom are racing for the first time. (9) COWBOY SOCKS was green on debut but still ran well for 4^e place and was an improved 3^rd at start two over 1200M on December 6^e if you finish it very well. The small step up in the trip can fit, and she can win. (7) WINNER BLUE led much of the race on December 27^e before it is finally executed 3^rd. He should have come on the run and can get back into the lead from a good gate and go a long way in this. Among the first timers, (2) MONEY MOVE and (11) DELTA EAGLE both hinted at their skills in their trials and can be considered first. (3) DONGBAEK was a fair 6^e of twelve on debut and can improve.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A/KRW 30 million

(10) WISHMASTER has a 6^e and a 5^e from two starts so far, most recently at 1300M on December 28^e when showing at tempo. Third, he can be nice and fit, and he has as good a chance as anyone here. (8) ROAD TO PERFECT ran 4^e on debut over this distance on January 13^e. He was well behind a good winner but showed enough to indicate potential and he can get closer today. (11) CHAOS needed three attempts to qualify, but when he finally did, he showed speed in his test and stopped the clock in quite some time. If he brings that form to the races he will be competitive. (5) NIGHT GANGJA and (6) YEONDONG STAR others that might appear.

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

(3) MYUNG BRACING has improved in three starts so far, culminating in a close 2^i.e place on 1300M on December 21st^st. He has proven he can run in good form, both on and off the pace, and a good draw will see him go one step further today. (9) FIVE STAR has four finishes between 3^rd and 5^e and his last two are over this distance. He likes to sit back and run, and he’ll be a late challenge here. (1) COSMO LONG has steadily improved over three outings to date, most recently a 3^rd to Myung Bracing’s 2^i.e on that December 21st^st race. When he enters the inside gate, he has to be on pace and he can go a long way. (10) EUNHA KALAS and (4) CHEONGRYONG GIUN others in the frame.

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

(5) JD GANGJA ran 4^e and 5^e in a pair of Listed Juvenile races before entering the field in the G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie. He started his three-year campaign by beating a few en route to 3^rd place in this class and distance on January 4^e and he should have too much for this lot. (4) HAKSAN PRINCE has come a long way on that January 4th^e race before you drive too late. He does have a 2^i.e However, he only qualified for this class in November and removed his name, guaranteeing another chance today. (2) MASTER KWAIGON returned from nine months to take his first 1300M win in December before finishing in sixth place^e on January 4^e. In the third phase of this preparation he can reach a peak and come closer. (8) SPINNING GOLD and (6) HOLY KAISER among many other opportunities.

Seoul Race 5: Handicap Class 5 (1700M) / KRW 45 million

(3) CHAM BBAREUN MAL has yet to win but was promoted to this level after finishing second^i.e in both of his first two starts. He had to get used to class 5 a few times, but ended up with a solid 3^rd place on January 11 on 1200M^e. On a previous attempt at this distance he led and then weakened, but was ready for another attempt. (1) MONEY VOUR SEASON did nothing in his first five appearances, but the step to two innings has him with a 2^i.e and then a win from his two attempts. He is higher in class, but lower in weight and he can measure up. (10) CUPID WORLD has yet to finish in the top two at fourteen ties, but has seven finishes between 3^rd and 5^e and should be there or thereabouts again. (11) SUBMISSION and (6) BLUE RAIN other place opportunities.

Seoul Race 6: Handicap Class 4 (1200M) / KRW 60 million

(3) ROOFTOP defeated Geudaemiddamyeon in his debut last August before wrestling in a listed youth company and then running 4^e in this class and distance in December. Two weeks ago he was still normal, but he is coming into a better gate and can show his skills today. (10) MANI NODAGI was class and distance winner three starts ago and ran 2^i.e on January 4^ecoming from far beyond the tempo. He carries 4.5kg more than he gained under, but he can be a danger here. (1) MALSGO was a winner in this class last July and hinted at a return to form when he finished 4^e more than 1400 million as of December 14^e. He can be on pace here and he can be in the finish. (2) RAON THE KEISHA and (7) HYPER THUNDER are others in the placement frame.

Seoul Race 7: Handicap Class 4 (1400M) / KRW 60 million

(2) HAENGUNUI YEOSIN has yet to win in five attempts but has come very close in her last two attempts, at 1400M and 1300M, the first time off the pace and the next time handy. In this company she can be on pace from the start and go one step further. (7) SPARKLING has a 3^rd and a 2^i.e back in two appearances after a ten-month layoff. Third, it can spike and while it carries a fair amount of weight, it can be dangerous. (1) TOHOMARKET comes in back-to-back 3^rd places in this class and distance and from the inside gate are on pace and a contender. (4) YONGBI HERO and (9) MY MUNNINGS among numerous others coming in with a recent form that is a good read.

Seoul Race 8: Handicap Class 4 (1700M) / KRW 60 million

Major test of credentials for (10) MUJEHAN GEUP. He won his first three, including at junior class level, but was way back as the favorite in the G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie in November. Like many in that chaotic race, he had excuses, but he had fewer at age 4^e in this class and distance on January 4^e. Support him again to show his true abilities. (4) SEOUL DOLPUNG won on January 4^e race, leading most of the way. The same student keeps his weight low and a repetition cannot be ruled out. (5) CHOEGANG SPEED was a winner over 1300M, twice back, before running 3^rd on his first attempt in this class and distance on December 21^stcoming from far beyond the tempo. It weighs only 1 kg and can be dangerous here. (6) JUMONG CHEONHA and (3) SUMMER PARTY others to consider on a place line.

Seoul Race 9: Handicap Class 3 (1800M) / KRW 75 million

(3) CHOEGANG GOLD is a five-of-seven winner to date, four of which at this distance, including his last in this class on December 21^st when he led from gate to wire. A student claiming 4kg means he is carrying even less weight today and with a good draw he can get back on pace and win again. (1) NURI CHEONWANG was 4^e on that December 21st^st race. He previously won this distance at Class 4 level in October and should be close again at light weight. (10) BEAUTIFUL MONEY is top of its class after winning on this trip on December 27^e. He’s lost weight, Luis is staying on, and he can gain some pulling power at a likely cost each way. (4) JEULGEOUN SANGSANG has won its last four and a fifth is not impossible. (9) FUNNY TAP another while hunting.

Seoul Race 10: Handicap Class 3 (1200M) / KRW 75 million

(4) EXCELLENT TAN comes from a 3^rd and a 2^i.e of his last two, most recently well beaten by the impressive filly Wonpyeong Sket in this class and distance on January 10^e. There’s nothing of Wonpyeong Sket’s caliber here, and he could go one step further. (6) RYAN HART has a 4^e and two 3^rd place finishes in three attempts at this level, all over 1400M. He also won at this distance and should be on pace and in the finish today. (10) STAR TREK was class and distance winner two starts ago and can challenge here. (8) COSMO RUN and (1) REAL DEAL and many more with at least placement chances.

Seoul Race 11: Handicap Class 2 (1400M) / KRW 90 million

(5) ONEULDO SMILE qualified for the final stage of the Triple Tiara last June and did not run until November when she emerged victorious over this distance, leading all the way. She was a good 2 at the time^i.e when she tried to repeat her first attempt in this class on January 3^rddefeating some of today’s rivals. She can take the lead again here and this time go all out. (9) SSOARA STAR was 4^e in that race, because he came off the pace. He is a two-time winner at this distance and can challenge at a lighter weight. (11) BEOLGYO VERITAS was a winner in a lightning fast time in this class over 1200M on December 21^st. It weighs the most stable today at 58 kg and has the greatest pulling power, but it may move too late. (4) ELDORADO NOLBU and (7) KONGNAMUL others to consider.