Baekgwang Must Overcome The Odds Again

President’s Cup – Nice Choice strongly fancied to spoil fairytale ending to incredible comeback
As the start of 2009, although it was well-known that Baekgwang, champion three-year old of 2006, had undergone stem-cell treatment, few dared to hope that the much-loved grey would even return to the track, yet alone show something of his old form.

Return he did, however, running fourth in the SBS Cup in August. This was followed by a battling second place to Gi Ra Seong in September and then finally, last month picking off a class 1 handicap to find himself back in the winners’ circle following a characteristic come-from-behind run. On Sunday afternoon the six-year-old will line up against the track’s top Korean bred horses in the President’s Cup -the “Dae-Tong-Lyong-Bae” where the season’s top three-year olds meet the best older horses.

With the “Po-In-Ma Troika” of Secret Weapon, Gi Ra Seong and Top Point all ineligible (having been conceived overseas), Baekgwang has a good shot at landing the biggest prize of his career. However, there are plenty of talented runners out to stop him.

Nice Choice is the track’s top three-year old. After a poor run in the Derby, he finally showed his class by wining August’s Ilgan Sports. Just edged out in the Minister’s Cup by Namdo Jeap – and finishing ahead of Sangseung Ilro – he is the one to beat here. Second in the Ilgan was another three-year old, Khanui Jeguk. He went on to win the Munhwa Ilbo and, like Nice Choice, he’ll have a big weight advantage over the older horses.

Aside from Baekgwang, Natural Nine is one of those older entrants who must be considered as must Ttukseom Cup winner Mighty Runner. Triple Seven, who will have a lot of backers, and Wontagui Gisa have also both shown this year that they know what to do in the final furlong.

At post time tomorrow, however, all eyes will be on stall number 7. If Baekgwang can somehow pull this off, even the most hard-bitten of punter will raise a smile.

Here’s a full list of runners and riders:

Name/Pedigree/Age/Record/Jockey – All are Korean bred.

President’s Cup (KOR. G.I) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – Nov 15, 2009 – 16:45

1. Natural Guy [Social Charter - Rocky Stream (Reprimand)] 4 (16/4/6/1) – Yoo Sang Wan
2. Nice Choice [Lost Mountain - Betty's Rhapsody (Don't Hesitate)] 3 (11/7/3/0) – Cho Kyoung Ho
3. Nice Good [Concept Win - Whenisitmyturn (Never Tabled)] 4 (19/5/4/4) – Shim Seung Tae
4. Wontagui Gisa [Fiercely -Grove Lady (Varick)] 5 (22/6/2/4) – Jung Ki Young
5. Baengnokjeong [Slew O'Green - Lesu Run (Proper Reality)] 6 (26/7/2/3) – Hwang Soon Do
6. Khanui Jeguk [Sunday Well - Lucky Dip (Didyme)] 3 (12/5/2/1) – Shin Hyoung Cheol
7. Baekgwang [The Groom Is Red - Grey Crest (Gold Crest)] 6 (20/10/6/3) – Park Tae Jong
8. Natural Nine [Revere - C. Bop (Aly Dark)] 5 (24/7/5/5) – Moon Jung Kyun
9. Triple Seven [The Groom Is Red - Impudence (Grand Lodge)] 4 (21/5/3/5) – Choi Beom Hyun
10. Saebyeok Achim [Social Charter - Cheongpa (The Rogers Four)] 4 (26/5/6/3) – Park Byoung Yoon
11. Lucky Seven [Didyme - Agent Flirt (Double Agent)] 7 (27/5/7/1) – Lee Sang Hyeok
12. Mighty Runner [Pacificbounty - Roan All Over (Fight Over)] 5 (25/7/3/7) – Yoon Tae Hyuk
13. Huimang Energy[Ft. Stockton - Doneitmyway (Northern Flagship)] 5 (19/7/3/4) – Ham Wan Sik
14. New Rider [Road Of War - Flyin Kristen (Exclusive Gem)] 6 (43/5/5/2) – Yoshiyuki Aoki

Weekend Preview

It’s President’s Cup weekend at Seoul Race Park with the big race off at 16:45 on Sunday. It will be the culmination of an as ever busy weekend of racing on the Korean peninsula which gets under way at Busan on Friday.

We’ll have a full preview of the President’s Cup on the site tomorrow.

Busan Race Park

Friday November 13: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday November 15: 6 races, first post 12:30, last 16:15

Seoul Race Park

Saturday November 14: 12 races, first post 11:10, last 17:45
Sunday November 15: 11 races, first post 11:10, last 17:55

Jeju Race Park (Pony racing)

Saturday November 14: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:25
Sunday November 15: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:25

Weekend Preview

There was a brief flirtation with winter across the Korean peninsula this week as temperatures dropped below freezing on Monday and Tuesday. Trackwork on Monday morning can’t have been much fun but it’s warmed up again now and we’re back in the mid twenties as Busan gets the weekend’s racing underway on Friday afternoon.

Seoul ended up racing under floodlights last weekend and brings the first race forward by ten minutes this time. Free Hugs and Pocketful of Money will be in action on what is a reasonably low-key two days of racing in the capital prior to next week’s President’s Cup. One to watch out for is two year old Full Step who goes in race 8 on Sunday.

Busan Race Park

Friday November 6: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday November 8: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:30

Seoul Race Park

Saturday November 7: 12 races, first post 11:10, last 17:45
Sunday November 8: 11 races, first post 11:10, last 17:45

Jeju Race Park (Pony Racing)

Saturday November 7: 10 races, first post 12:30, last 17:15
Sunday November 8: 10 races, first 12:30, last 17:15

Weekend Preview

The Busan Mayor’s Cup headlines a weekend which also sees the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup at Seoul on Sunday, while a number of big name horses make appearances across the weekend.

Seoul Vs Busan Part 5 takes centre stage at Busan while up and coming fillies will run for the valuable Gyeonggi Cup at Seoul. Meanwhile, the likes of Bally Brae, Angus Empire, Namchonuijijon and Machine Gun will be in action.

Busan Race Park

Friday October 30: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday November 1: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:30

Seoul Race Park

Saturday October 31: 12 races. first post 11:20, last 17:50
Sunday November 1: 11 races, first post 11:20, last 18:10

Jeju Race Park (Pony Racing)

Saturday October 31: 10 races, first post 12:10, last 17:20
Sunday November 1: 10 races, first post 12:10, last 17:10

It’s Busan Vs Seoul as Hardride Defends Cup

Six head down to try to break Busan’s domination
It’s Busan vs Seoul part 5, but this time it’s different. While up until now, only the three year old classics have been contested by horses from both tracks, this coming Sunday, six older overseas bred horseswill travel to Busan for the first Group 3 Busan Mayor’s Cup. Eight will be waiting for them from the home team, among them a mixture of the Busan’s top imports as well as its home bred stars.

Hardride is back to defend his title from last year but it’s the Korean bred runners who provide most of the interest from the Busan side. Areumdaun Jilju and Gaeseon Janggun will get another crack at Yeongung Manse, who surprised both of them in last month’s Governor’s Cup, while three year old Yeonsung Daero has another tilt at glory after failing in the classics.

Vicar Love, Saerounbisul and Bulpae Gisang head the Seoul contingent who will be looking to regain some pride for the capital track. In clashes between the two, Busan leads 8-0. Will things change on Sunday? We’ll find out when they go to post for the ten furlong race at 3:40pm.

Let’s have a look at the runners and riders.

Busan Mayor’s Cup (KOR. G.III) – Busan Race Park – 2000M – Nov 1, 2009 – 15:40

1. Saerounachim (NZ) [Pyrus - Jouet (Langfuhr)] (18/2/5/3) – Seoul – Shim Seung Tae
Second in the JRA Trophy, it’s hard to argue that he’s come along for any other reason then to keep stablemate Saerounbisul company.
2. Yeongung Manse (KOR) [Sharp Appeal - Saratogasplash (Wild Again)] (17/9/3/2) – Jo Chang Wook
Pulled off a stunning win over Areumdaun Jilju and Gaeseon Janggun last month in what was billed as a match race between the track’s top two stars. Not to be ignored.
3. Tiffanyuikkum (AUS) [Iglesia - Blue Lady (Western Symphony)] (18/5/1/2) – Seoul – Shin Dae Jun
Three out of his last four runs have been dreadful. Unproven at the top level, will his best form return?
4. Gamadongja (NZ) [Howbaddouwantit - Miss Martha (Iades)] (23/9/3/4) – Seoul – Stephan Swanepoel
Likely to set the early pace, Gamadongja is a sprinter but consistantly places at the longer distances.
5. Balbora (NZ) [Keeper - Deutzia (Chem)] (21/3/0/3) – Seoul – Bang Choon Sik
Hasn’t finished in the money this year. Perhaps his connections know something we don’t.
6. Saerounbisul (NZ) [Danske - Miss Golly (Casual Lies)] (25/6/4/4) – Seoul – Martin Wepner
Finished in the money on all but one of his last twenty-three races, the five year old won the Seoul Owners’ Cup last year and must be respected.
7. Bulpae Gisang (USA) [Lightnin N Thunder - Neat Trick (Clever Trick)] (11/6/2/0) – Seoul – Choi Beom Hyun
Won on his first attempt at class 1 and has two solid second places since. Choi Beom Hyun accompanies him down from Seoul.
8. Angle Slam (USA) [Gold Case - Platinum Code (Lost Code)] (42/8/7/8) – Han Sang Gyu
Like Gamadongja, he excels at shorter distances – he may contest the minor placings but a win would be a shock.
9. Vicar Love (USA) [Vicar - Canberra (Silver Hawk)] (17/9/1/3) – Seoul – Oh Kyoung Hoan
One of the top three year olds of last season, he’s back in form with a good win last time out.
10. Hardride (USA) [Colony Light - Lametta (Lomond)] (24/6/5/2) – Chae Gyu Jun
Winner of this race last year, he’s not in quite the same form as he was a year ago but can’t be ruled out.
11. Gaeseon Janggun (KOR) [Duality - Diamond Star (Dixieland Band)] (16/8/4/1) Jo Sung Gon
Last year’s champion Korean bred three year old has won four of his five outings this term, his only defeat being to Yeongung Manse last month. A real contender.
12. Luna (KOR) [Concept Win - Wu Su Hae (Exactly Sharp)] (31/12/5/2) – Eiki Nishimura
The only female in the race, the seven year old mare is a Busan stalwart. The 2007 KRA Cup Mile is the highlight of her career to date but she also pulled off a shock win in last year’s Owners’ Cup.
13. Areumdaun Jilju (KOR) [Didyme - Chills Of Nepal (Nepal)] (21/14/3/1) – Lim Sung Sil
Always in the money and usually in the winners’ circle. His defeat last time was a shock but Lim Sung Sil retains the ride and he will be in the mix at the end.
14. Yeonseung Daero (KOR) [Creek Cat - Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] (15/8/1/2) – Park Geum Man
A disappointment in the classics, he’s the “nearly colt” of this year’s three year old group. Has always finisined in the money.

Weekend Preview

Oh My Sun / Seonbongbulpae / Gi Ra Seong
The Juvenile Fillies have their big day at Seoul Race Park on Saturday as the Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup takes centre stage. Ten two year olds will go in the six furlong test with Oh My Sun and and the unknown Choegouisungan among them.

It’s rare for the feature race of the weekend to be held on a Saturday but this Sunday also has its attractions. The in-form Gi Ra Seong, will be in action in the feature race as the build up continues to next month’s President’s Cup but, in keeping with the Juvenile theme, plenty of eyes will be on race 7 where Seonbongbulpae makes his third appearance.

The colt won his first two races easily and steps up to class 4 as he prepares for his likely December showdown with Nothern Ace in the Herald Media.

Busan runs cards on Friday and Sunday. The feature is on Friday with Golding and Dongbang Geona among the contenders.

Busan Race Park

Friday October 23: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday October 25: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:30

Seoul Race Park

Saturday October 24: 12 races, first post 11:20, last 17:50
Sunday October 25: 11 races, first post 11:20, last 18:00

Jeju Race Park (Pony Racing)

Saturday October 24: 9 races: first post 12:10, last 17:10
Sunday October 25: 10 races, first post 12:10, last 17:20

Weekend Preview

Big Chance for Baekgwang
Baekgwang is the star attraction of the weekend with the grey former champion three year old set to make his third appearance of his comeback. Now six, Baekgwang will finish off his preparations for a likely tilt at next month’s President’s Cup as he heads a field of ten in Saturday’s feature race at Seoul Race Park.

While it is a competitive field it is also a beatable one and, while the likes of Hwangnyongsaji, Machine Gun and Ugildongja are all proven winners, Baekgwang has his best chance since his return from stem cell therapy of finding himself back in the winner’s circle for the first time in nearly three years.

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with ten races while on Sunday one of the track’s stars, Crafty Louis will be on show in the pick of six races.

Busan Race Park

Friday October 16: 10 races, first post 13:00, last 17:30
Sunday October 18: 6 races, first post 12:40, last 16:30

Seoul Race Park

Saturday October 17: 12 races, first post 11:20, last 17:40
Sunday October 18: 11 races, first post 11:20, last 18:00

Jeju Race Park (Pony racing)

Saturday October 17: 9 races, first post 12:10, last 17:10
Sunday October 18: 10 races, first post 12:10, last 17:35

Sangseung Ilro Bids For The Triple Crown

Filly has tough task in Minister’s Cup
Sangseung Ilro will lead a Busan invasion of Seoul Race Park on Sunday afternoon as she seeks to become the first filly to land the Korean Triple Crown.

Eight horses from Busan will line up compared to just three from the home track, however, it’s one of those three that is going to be the one to beat at 5pm tomorrow afternoon. Nice Choice was champion two year old of 2008. His owner’s decision to avoid the first leg of the Triple Crown in order to focus entirely on the Derby backfired as the colt finished a disappointing sixth. Since then he’s been in imperious form, racking up three straight wins including the Munhwa Ilbo Cup.

But what of Sangseung Ilro? After winning the KRA Cup Mile in April, punters failed to give her the respect she deserved in the Derby the following month and she duly punished them with a dominant win. Not appearing on the track again until the Korean Oaks in August, she looked set to stroll to victory before tying up in the final furlong to allow Pangpang to steal an unlikely victory. Coming out of that race with shin problems she hasn’t run again and there will be big questions over both her fitness and her ability to stay the 10 furlong course.

Having beaten Sangseung Ilro, Pangpang must be respected, but a subsequent race in which she was beaten not only by Busan stars Gaeseon Janggun (who won his race last year) and Areumdaun Jilju, she also finished behind Conqueror, who has strong claims here.

Busan’s main challenger, however, may be Yeonseung Daero. Since disappointing in the Derby, he has won twice over the distance against top class oppostion, including a victory last time out over Namdo Jeap, who was second to Sangseung Ilro in both the KRA Cup Mile and the Derby. Namdo Jeap will also go tomorrow and is something of a wildcard as he seems at his best at shorter distances. Nevertheless, he’s proved he likes the Seoul track and he can’t be discounted.

Neither can Khanui Jeguk. Second to Nice Choice in the Munhwa, he went on to beat Love Cat in the Ilgan Sports Cup last month and looks likely to improve further.

These three make up Seoul’s challenge and Nice Choice is set to bring some pride back to Seoul which has seen itself humiliated by Busan in recent classics. However, one Busan filly has beaten him before and tomorrow afternoon, Sangseung Ilro will run for the Triple Crown.

Full list of runners, records and riders:

Minister Of Agriculture (FAFF) Cup (G.II) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – October 11, 2009, 17:00

1. Sangseung Ilro [Concept Win - Ms. Whiskey (Whiskey Wisdom)] Filly, Busan (8/5/2/1) – Jo Sung Gon
2. Isidae Gangja [Lost Mountain - Angel (Land Rush)] Filly, Busan (11/3/3/2) – Kim Eu Su
3. Pangpang [Revere - Awishnotalark (Rio's Lark)] Filly, Busan (17/4/1/1) – Yoo Hyun Myoung
4. Nice Choice [Lost Mountain - Betty's Rhapsody (Don't Hesitate)] Colt, Seoul (10/7/2/0) – Cho Kyoung Ho
5. Love Cat [Creek Cat - Love Cue (Curia Regis)] Filly, Seoul (11/6/1/2) – Choi Beom Hyun
6. Tamna Hero [Creek Cat - The Big C (Deputed Testamony)] Filly, Busan (10/4/3/0) – Han Sang Gyu
7. Khanui Jeguk [Sunday Well - Lucky Dip (Didyme)] Colt, Seoul (11/5/2/1) – Park Tae Jong
8. Conqueror [Revere - Model Actress (Stage Colony)] Colt, Busan (13/4/3/0) – Kim Myoung Shin
9. Namdo Jeap [Ft. Stockton - Wandering Katie (Tejano)] Colt, Busan (12/4/3/3) – Martin Wepner
10. Sky Star [Tahamkke - Blue Lark (Ravenwood)] Colt, Busan (15/5/3/1) – Lee Hee Cheon
11. Yeonseung Daero [Creek Cat - Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] Colt, Busan (14/8/1/2) – Jo Chang Wook

Eleven Entered For Minister’s Cup

Tough task for Sangseung Ilro to complete Triple Crown
There’s no racing in Korea this coming weekend as the nation shuts down for the “Chuseok” (Korean Thanksgiving) holiday which falls on Saturday. The following week, however, it’s the big one. Sangseung Ilro will attempt to emulate J.S. Hold two years ago and complete the Triple Crown when she travels up from Busan to Seoul to run for the Minister’s Cup.

Entires were published today and at this stage there are eleven horses set to go. There are seven colts and four fillies while a remarkable eight of the entrants are from Busan, Here’s the provisional line up with their race records (Runs/Wins/2nd/3rd). All are Korean bred:

1. Nice Choice [Lost Mountain - Betty's Rhapsody (Don't Hesitate)] Colt, Seoul (10/7/2/0)
2. Love Cat [Creek Cat - Love Cue (Curia Regis)] Filly, Seoul (11/6/1/2)
3. Khanui Jeguk [Sunday Well - Lucky Dip (Didyme)] Colt, Seoul (11/5/2/1)
4. Sangseung Ilro [Concept Win - Ms. Whiskey (Whiskey Wisdom)] Filly, Busan (8/5/2/1)
5. Namdo Jeap [Ft. Stockton - Wandering Katie (Tejano)] Colt, Busan (12/4/3/3)
6. Pangpang [Revere - Awishnotalark (Rio's Lark)] Filly, Busan (17/4/1/1)
7. Isidae Gangja [Lost Mountain - Angel (Land Rush)] Filly, Busan (11/3/3/2)
8. Yeonseung Daero [Creek Cat - Sensationalkris (Cryptoclearance)] Colt, Busan (14/8/1/2)
9. Tamna Hero [Creek Cat - The Big C (Deputed Testamony)] Filly, Busan (10/4/3/0)
10. Conqueror [Revere - Model Actress (Stage Colony)] Colt, Busan (13/4/3/0)
11. Sky Star [Tahamkke - Blue Lark (Ravenwood)] Colt, Busan (15/5/3/1)

Over the next few days, we’ll look at the race in a little bit more detail before final declarations are made next Thursday.

Top Point Seeks Home Win in KRA Cup Classic

Five year old can taste glory at last
On Ladies’ Day at Seoul Race Park, it’s billed as the Filly & Mare Grand Prix. As the winner will almost certainly book her ticket to the actual season ending Grand Prix, it’s an unnecessary title but what is certain is that Sunday’s Group 3 KRA Cup Classic is Seoul’s biggest race of the year restricted to fillies and mares. And with the Oaks at Busan being restricted to Korean bred runners, it’s arguably the biggest on the peninsula.

A Korean born, rather than Korean bred looks the overwhelming favourite. Top Point, foaled in Korea but bred in the USA, is a class above most of her rivals and she has waited a long time for this. The five year old has an impressive record of thirteen wins from twenty one starts and regularly beats the males at the highest level. She was third in this race last year but with the winner, Fly Queen, out for at least a year, Top Point is the top filly or mare on the peninsula by some distance.

Whenever Soseono is mentioned on this site, we always have to mention that she is the little sister of Subsidy through their dam, Foreign Aid. Named after one of the founding Queens of Korea’s Baekje dynasty, there are many at the track who would love to see Subsidy’s dynasty carried on. Soseono won the YTN Cup last month and still it seems the best from her is yet to come.

Second in the YTN Cup was Air Kat. She is another whose best days seem in front of her and she can’t be discounted. Neither can Serendipper. The five year old Australian bred rarely wins but that’s because she spends most of her time racing the likes of track superstars Dongbanui Gangja and Bally Brae. Back with other fillies and mares, she’ll be a dangerous prospect and arguably the biggest threat to Top Point.

Among the others, Pocketful Of Money won this race as a three year old in 2007 while Mexicali Blues – offcially champion three year old filly last year – has struggled since making it up to class 1 level as has Hwanggeum Dwaeji – but aside from Top Point, connections of both will feel they have a chance of beating everyone here.

KRA Cup Classic (KOR. GIII) – Seoul Race Park – 2000M – Sep 27, 2009, 17:00

1. Serendipper (AUS) [Danewin - Coppelius (Pleasant Colony)] – (19/3/6) – 56kg – Lee Sang Hyuk
2. Top Point (KOR) [Tom Cruiser - Mooncello (Northern Baby)] – (21/13/2) – 57kg – Park Tae Jong
3. Princess Thumb (USA) [Stravinsky - Narjis Flower (Pleasant Colony)] – (29/2/2) – 52kg – Park Si Cheon
4. Hwanggeum Dwaeji (AUS) [Langfuhr - Proudest (Sir Tristram)] – (22/2/6) – 54kg – Cho Kyoung Ho
5. Soseono (USA) [Aldebaran - Foreign Aid (Danzig)] – (12/2/4) – 54kg – Choi Beom Hyun
6. Mexicali Blues (USA) [Golden Missile - Golden Made (Alien's Prospect)] – (19/5/2) – 53kg – Yoo Sang Wan
7. Pocketful Of Money (USA) [Running Stag - Ms. Deep Pockets (Buckaroo)] – (31/8/8) – 57kg – Oh Kyoung Hoan
8. Badajebi (KOR) [Mujaazif - Madonna (Avon's Lord)] – (25/6/3) – 52kg – Moon Jung Kyun
9. Kkumchaja (USA) [Orientate - Westerville (Gone West)] – (11/1/2) – 53.5kg – Jo In Kwen
10. Air Kat (USA) [Digging In - Vivian's Mercedes (Broad Brush)] – (14/3/4) – 54.5kg – Jung Ki Young
11. Gate Way (KOR) [Psychobabble - Rich Emotions (Rizzi)] – (23/5/3) – 52kg – Shim Seung Tae
12. Ginny’s Delight (USA) [Polish Miner - Political Bluff (Unaccounted For)] – (27/1/2) – 52kg – Hwang Soon Do
13. Angel Pegasus (USA) [Gold Case - Sahara Princess (Alphabet Soup)] – (11/3/2) – 53kg – Bang Choon Sik

It being “Ladies’ Day”, women get free entry to Seoul Race Park on Sunday. The first of eleven races is off at 11:20.