Seoul Saturday: race-by-race preview (November 1)

November starts with an 11-race Saturday meeting in Seoul from 10:35 a.m. to 6 p.m. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A/KRW 45 million

Youth girls, all but one of whom are racing for the first time. (4) HOT FEVER took two attempts to qualify, but looked good on October 16^eshowing at tempo and a close run 3^rd in a quick time. If she brings that form to the races, she will come close. (9) STEEL MORE also rode close to the front in her test and eventually finished in 2nd place^i.e and beating some of today’s rivals. Here too she can be on pace and pose a threat. The only one who has raced before is (7) DANAEUN RUBY and although she only managed one at home on her debut, she has performed well before and may have a fitness edge over her rivals here. (6) COWBOY SOCKS and (8) TIGER BULPAE are others who have run good times in trials and could well go up first.

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

(2) GEOSEN THINGS has a 4^e and a 3^rd from two starts so far, most recently on September 28^e at this distance when it is convenient all the time and record a time significantly faster than any competitor today has managed for the 1200M. He’s looking good to be handy again and he’s the one to beat. (9) FLASH RAY took a lot of trials to get to the races, but was a solid 3^rd upon debut over 1200M on October 3^rd and he can build on that here. There are three debutants and of them (8), HAKSAN TAEPUNG seems more likely to make an immediate impact. He was an early test winner in September and if he brings that form to the races he will come close. (6) PLAY STAY was ordinary upon debut, but has since looked much better in a trial period. (10) RAON EXTREME looked good in the second of two tests.

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

(6) SANGIM YEONGUNG debuted on October 4 over 1300 million^e and ran a solid 3^rdovercoming a slow start to run on and beat some of today’s rivals. He should have come for that run, the extra half-furlong is enough, and he can win here. (7) SAENAE FIGHTER was also a runner in the Rookie Stakes, but comes in a best yet 3^rd took place when he started this journey on September 28^e and drove a little further forward than during previous starts. Expect a similar tactic here and he could get to the finish. (9) CHAMPION SOCKS has made good progress in four starts so far, culminating in a 2^i.e takes place on September 20^e when you reach this distance and lead. This time he has a wider gate, but can again sit a long way in this. (5) ROAD TO STAR and (11) SUBMISSION other place opportunities.

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

Only mares (and one mare) here. (5) UNICA was a winner on his 1000m debut in August, falling well off the pace before running a very solid 3^rd behind Mujehan Geup and Wonpyeong Sket, currently considered the second and third best youngsters in Seoul, in the listed Munhwa Ilbo Trophy in September. Coming in fresh at seven weeks and back in shallower water, she will be a big favorite to win. (6) GWANAKSAN WONDERFUL was a good 2^i.e in this class and distance on September 21^st. She has won on this journey and is the greatest danger. (9) SECRET WOLF comes up in class after a complete win at this distance last time. That was the end of July, so she comes in fresh and she is less heavy. (11) THUNDER YEOGEOL and (10) POETIC NUBI others in line for the minors.

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

(10) DEW^i.e in this class and distance on September 20^e as he settled into midfield and finished well with a pair of today’s rivals behind him. He comes in under almost the same weight, he pulls the exact same gate, and he can finally break through on the twelfth time of asking. (3) GROW has two wins but no fewer than fifteen finishes between 3^rd and 4^e. It includes her last, both in this class and both at 1800M and she should be there or around there again. (9) BEAUTIFUL HWASEONG was a class and distance winner two starts back before beating a few on his way to 3^rd takes place on October 4^e. A student keeps his weight light, and he can have other opportunities in the mix of (8) GRATITUDE and (6) HAKSAN DAESE.

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

It’s hard to go far past (1) PERFECT DANAEUN here. He has won his last two, most recently by a lead in this class and distance on September 14^e. He is 3kg heavier, but that is somewhat offset by the inside gate, and he can complete his hat-trick here. (6) SEMYEONG STRONG has moved closer again in his recent starts, most recently when he took 3^rd in this class over 1200M on October 3^rd. Ruan Maia stays on and he could be a danger. (4) JILPUNGA and (3) ALIFER are both emerging in the class having taken their maiden wins in their respective last starts and being well drawn, both can measure up in this company. (2) J ONE POWER is another one in the placement hunt.

Seoul Race 7: Handicap Class 4 (1300M) / KRW 60 million

(4) VINCERO CUE won consecutive races at this distance in April and June before finishing sixth^e from eleven over 1400 meters on his first attempt in this class in August, when he used a lot of energy from the widest fence to find a forward position. Since then he has had ten weeks off, he pulls a much better gate and returns at a distance where he has two wins and a 2^i.e after three attempts, he is the one to defeat. (3) GEOSEN BIGMAN has two 4^e places and a 2^i.e of his last two and of a good draw he seems to be the biggest danger. (9) USEUNGHAL GYEOLSIM debuted all the way back in May and earned a solid 3^rd – beating some of today’s rivals. He hasn’t raced since and hasn’t given many clues at a trial, but he could be the first to be of interest for a single prize. (5) GLOBAL PHAROAH and (10) BEAUTIFUL A ONE others in the mix

Seoul Race 8: Handicap Class 4 (1600M) / KRW 60 million

(2) NAMSAN BELT was a winner in his 1000M debut in August before running 3^rd at 1200M on September 21st^st. She makes a big jump in the trip here, but there is no reason why she can’t match that and with a light weight and a nice fence she can win. (8) LEGENDSUN was the class and distance winner by a large margin on September 28^eracing at pace all the time. If an apprentice jockey is booked, he will remain under a featherweight and will likely start as second favourite. (4) THEME TANSAENG comes in after organizing a fair 5^e lessons and distance learning on September 21^st and Ruan Maia’s stay is a big bonus. (3) DAEBAK STAR and (9) BAKCHARA are others in the frame.

Seoul Race 9: Handicap Class 4 (1200M) / KRW 60 million

Since winning Class 5 over this distance three starts ago, (2) SPARTAN has run 4^e in both attempts in this class. He was pulled wide in both, so he comes into a much better gate today and Maia is enough to put him firmly on top. (8) YESULIYA has placed in the top three in each of his last five starts, most recently winning this distance in a fast race on September 13^e. He likes to be on pace so he is drawn a little wider than ideal, but if he can find a forward position he could be in the mix. (5) HWASANGWIHWAN doesn’t win out of turn, but was a solid 3^rd in this class and distance on September 20^e and even though he earns 4kh without an apprentice claim, taking over from Harry is adequate compensation. (10) RAON THE KEISHA and (11) FINAL GO are the others that will be on the market.

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

(9) HANSEN BRACING has nine top four finishes from eleven starts and was the last start winner over this distance on September 20^e when you sit comfortably and walk vigorously. He is in the class here, but has lost 4kg and given his current form he should be at the top. (11) MIRACLE HANAM is a very interesting newcomer. He debuted as a winner in a near track-record run dating back to July 2024, but then didn’t race again until April this year, when he didn’t do much. He hasn’t raced since, but he looked good at a trial in late September and while he can’t really be trusted, he seems worth a speculative try. (5) AMAZON KING was a very fast winner at this distance, two starts back before running 2^i.e on his first attempt in this class on September 21^st and according to a student claim he should be in this. (7) DANCING WHIZ and (2) LADY HANABI others in the placement frame.

Seoul Race 11: Handicap Class 2 (1800M) / KRW 90 million

(4) ECLIPSE THE KING was 3^rd in the Korean Derby in May and then won a Grade 3 over a mile in July. He led much of the way in the Listed Ilgan Sports Trophy on September 28^e before you’re done 3^rd and in this company he is expected to win. (9) GANGNARU will probably be the second favorite. He was a four-time winner, he was a two-time winner^i.e in each of his last three starts at a mile and at this distance, and he will be in the place mix again. This also applies to (8) ACE GUNJU. He’s never played this particular distance before, but he has a 3^rd at 2000M two starts back and a 2^i.e at a mile last time, so he should be in this. (6) JEOMSUNI GO and (5) JEONGWOO FOREVER are others to consider.