Korea Racing Busan & Seoul Previews – 20 July

Sunday July 20, 2025

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

Twelve previously unraced two-year-olds here so we must head to the trial videos. (11) KING MASTER ran 3^rd in his trial behind a horse who has gone on to win (and, in fairness, one who has not). He showed close to the pace and with Moon Se-young booked, will have plenty of backers. (5) LIVE STAR beat a couple of today’s rivals when running 5^th in his heat, coming from well off the pace. 1200M should suit first up.  (4) GEOSEN PUNCH led in his trial, ultimately coming 2^nd in a fair time. That was back in mid-May, so it has taken a while for him to get to the races, but he draws well to lead again. (3) THUNDER RUN and (12) JIJON BULPAE others who hinted at ability.

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

After a series of trials, (8) RAON FLORENCE finally debuted on May 31^st and showed ability with a 2^nd place over this distance, showing on pace throughout. He should have come on for that run, and he can go one better today. Debut maker (3) CHRYSOL STONE was a trial winner in June, settling midfield and running on. 1200M can suit first up and she can challenge here. (4) SILLAUI FIGHTER led on debut over 1300M ultimately finishing in 4^th place. He should have come on for the experience and nicely drawn can lead again and be in this a long way. (7) MADE and (9) THE EXCELLENT are others who could potentially improve from their respective debuts.

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

(4) HAKSAN PRINCE enters off a best to date 2^nd place over 1300M on Juen 22^nd when settling back and running on. Ruan Maia climbs on for the first time and he won’t need to improve much, if at all, to win this. Nothing else enters off a very good start so we’ll go on the past form of (6) CUPID K. Her latest couple of outings have been indifferent but she has four finishes between 2^nd and 5^th in her seven total appearances and that’s enough to put her in the mix here. (1) SPICE BAND has finished 6^th in both her starts so far, both over 1200M. She has been doing her best work late so the step up to 1400M can suit. (3) LUGE and (2) SMART NOTION are other place chances.

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

It’s hard to go past (1) HEUIMANG TAYO here. After a 2^nd place on debut, he ran 3^rd from the widest gate in a quick race on June 22^nd. Both of those were over 1200M and from a much better draw, he can get an easy run to the lead and will be a short price to break through. (2) MAMBO SIDAE picked up with a 3^rd place at start number three over 1300M on June 20^th. She can settle just behind the pace here and she can challenge late on again. (10) ILLUSION is yet to finish any better than 4^th, something she has done in three of her last four starts. In this company, she should be aiming to match or better that. (3) AMAZING ONE and (5) GRACE CAL are others in the hunt.

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(4) ANYANGBITCHUISOKDO was a winner on debut over 1000M on June 21^st, showing on pace throughout. He is up in class and up in distance today, but he should have come on for that run and from a good draw, he can lead again and win again. (9) SEOUL BINGO took a couple of goes to get accustomed to this class, but he comes in off a 3^rd and a 2^nd from his latest two, both at this class and both times racing close to the pace. In this company he too can be on the speed again and in this a long way. (2) ROAD TO A SPUR and (1) SAEROUN GUY are both still maidens. The latter was much better than the former when they raced one another on June 14^th but from good draws, both can be in the mix here. (7) GROW another in line for the minors.

Busan Race 2: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(2) SPEED TOP has two wins, and three runner-up finishes from five starts so far with his latest being a success at this class over 1200M in a quick time on June 8^th. He comes up 3.5kg in weight but he doesn’t seem to be done yet and he can win again here. (9) SANGIM BOLT beat three of today’s rivals when a front-running winner at this class and distance on June 29^th. That was just his second win in twenty-two starts and he is up by the same 3.5kg, but in this company, he can be competitive. (10) DOCTOR HAPPY led for much of the way around on her first try at this class over 1200M last time out. She comes in fresh after eleven weeks off and can be in the mix. (1) QUEEN AND SERVE and (3) MEETING ST are other place chances.

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

Fillies only. (2) LALA GIRL is yet to win in seven attempts, but she registered three consecutive runner-up finishes between March and May including at this class and distance. She took a bump at the start when beaten by a couple of these on June 22^nd but with a cleaner getaway, today can be her day. (8) RAIN STAR was 2^nd in that June 22^nd race having been slow away and had to come from a long way back. That has been a bit of a pattern for her, but she is a winner at this distance and can be a threat. (5) TEUKGEUP PARTY and (6) MUNHAK FIGHTER both come up in class following last start maiden wins and both can measure up in this company. (9) SILK SPECTER and (3) I AM GO others in the frame.

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(5) WILD PARK was a comprehensive all the way winner on debut on June 22^nd over this distance having previously won a trial in similar fashion. He comes up in class but is down in weight and having come on for that run, can win again. (1) SAENAE HUNTER returned from eight months off to win a very quick race at this class and distance on June 27^th, leading all the way. The track was lightning fast that day so we shouldn’t read too much into the time but nevertheless, the manner of that performance suggests that he has every chance of following up, despite a 2.5kg weight rise. Like Wild Park, (4) ECHO CHAMP was a winner on debut at 1200M. That was back in March so it has taken her a while to get back to the track, but she can measure up in this company. (8) ROAD TO PARTY and (7) WINNERS ROOKIE among plenty of others in the mix in a competitive race.

Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(1) BEOLGYO D Y was sent off as favourite at this class and distance on June 22^nd but got an unfortunate trip, taking bumps on more than one occasion. We’ll draw a line through that and instead will go on his win on May 3^rd and give him another chance. (8) SALVADOR is up in class following his maiden win at start three over 1400M on May 31^st. He is down 3kg in weight, his running style suggests that the extended trip can suit, and he shapes as a danger. (5) LUCKY FAMOUS has two placings at this class and distance including last time out on June 22^nd when 3^rd, coming from off the pace, and he can be there or thereabouts again. (7) P N S NALA and (2) BLUE INDY others in line for the minors.

Busan Race 4: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(5) YONGBI PAEWANG ran 2^nd in Busan’s Classic Trial in February before finishing a strong 3^rd in the KRA Cup Mile in April. He then had a rather chastening experience at Seoul in the Korean Derby and hasn’t run since. In the intervening time, he’s been gelded and back in more amenable company, can make a winning return here. (2) WISE KING won three of six up to May of last year before injury took hold again. He has been back in training since late May and looked very well when winning two trials from the front and he can make an impact first up. (8) BRUG KINGMAN has two wins and three placings from seven attempts at this distance and should be in the placing mix again. Stablemates (11) WONDERFUL KAYLAN and (3) AMAZING KHAN are others in the hunt.

Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(5) WONDERFUL NORTHERN comes off the Triple Crown trail where his best result was 4^th in the KRA Cup Mile, the first leg. He comes back into more amenable company today and can win.  (2) TONNERRE has won two of his latest three, most recently at this class and distance on June 22^nd when on pace throughout. He is up 3kg in weight, but he draws well, Moon Se-young stays on, and he can be in this a long way. (7) STUNNING MONEY ran 2^nd to Tonnerre in that June 22^nd race having previously won at 1800M in May. He too carries his fair share of weight but can be in the finish again. (3) KING GO TAEYANG and (1) SEOBU CHAMP are other place chances.

Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Having finished midfield in the Korean Derby in May, (3) YOUNG SKYWALKER was a strong 3^rd in last month’s Minister’s Cup, the final leg of the Triple Crown, over 2000M at Seoul. He was a class and distance winner in March, and while he has a big weight to contend with, he’s a hot favourite to win here. (10) YEONGGWANGUI HONEY has won her latest two at 1400M and a mile to come up rapidly in class. Seo Seung-un stays well and she can measure up at both the increased level of competition and this trip.  (11) ARONDIGHT won at this distance on June 13^th, leading all the way. He is up in class but down in weight and while this is a good deal harder, may offer some each-way interest. (1) INDY GHOST and (9) CAPTAIN DIA are others in the frame.

Seoul Race 8: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

A winner of four from nine in total, (2) ECLIPSE THE KING ran 3^rd in the Korean Derby but was scratched from the final leg of the Triple Crown in June due to illness. He came back into work on July 4^th and at anything like his best, he should lead from gate to wire. (8) GEUMBIT CHEONHA has only won once but has no fewer than twelve further top three finishes, seven of them at a mile. He is lightly weighted and while he will probably once more find one too quick, he should be close. Classic Trial winner (9) CHAN FAMOUS didn’t measure up in the Cup Mile or Derby and only managed a midfield finish on his return to shallower waters last month. He looks nicely in here under a light weight though and be dangerous. (7) GOLD MUNGCHI and (1) KING DIA are the other main chances.

Busan Race 6: Class 2 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million

(2) BANG BANG BANG enters off two fine Queens’ Tour efforts with 5^th place in the Donga Ilbo Trophy followed up with a close 2^nd in the KNN Cup over a mile on June 1^st. She likes to come from well off the pace and is the one to beat here. (1) B.J. CHIEF beat three of today’s rivals on his way to a 23/1 win at this class over 2000M on June 27^th. He raced on pace – as all winners did that day – and from a good draw, he can lead again and be in this a long way. (3) DOCTOR CAPTAIN and (6) EUNSEONG WINNER were among those behind B.J. Chief in that race, running well for 3^rd and 2^nd respectively and both can be challenging for the places again. (10) BACKTOTHELEGEND another in the hunt.

Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(5) CHUPUNGNYEONG has won his latest two in convincing fashion, most recently at this class and distance on June 22^nd when settling midfield and running on. That brings him up a full 5.5kg in weight, but in this company, he can complete his hat-trick. (7) EXCELLENT MATTA took nineteen goes to get her maiden win, but she has followed up with a 4^th and a 3^rd from her two subsequent tries at this class and she can be the danger here. (10) HEUNGHAENG BULPAE came from a long way back to run 2^nd at this class and distance on June 15^th, and he can be running on strong late again. Last start winner (4) CHANIGO, along with (1) GLORY YEONGGWANG, are others to consider on a place line.

Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

After finishing 4^th on debut (9) NICE FORCE has since won three in a row, all at 1200M and most recently at this class on June 7^th when he made all. He comes up 4kg in weight, as well as up to the 1400M for the first time, but he can make it four here. (10) PRIME CROWN raced twice last autumn for one win before setbacks which have kept him off the track ever since. He looked well when 3^rd in a June trial and Moon Se-young’s booking means he will have plenty of first-up backers. (1) HEALING HAVEN comes in having run an on pace 2^nd at this distance on June 22^nd. She is up in class here but comes down 4kg in weight and from the inside gate, she can measure up. (3) ULTRA THUNDER and (8) DREAM HONOUR other place chances.

Seoul Race 11: Class 1 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million

(8) SPEED ONE led over 2000M on June 1^st before ultimately weakening to only beat one home. His form prior to that warrants another chance, he has a win and a 2^nd from his two previous tries at this distance, and staying under a light weight he is probably the one to beat. (4) FLYING STAR comes out of the Queens’ Tour series where she ran fairly, if unspectacularly. She is a two-time winner at 1800M and can be a danger. (6) HERO FIGHTER also has a great record at this trip and is likely to be on the early pace with every chance of sticking around for the business end. (1) VICS GO and (11) SINUI EREUM (the latter ridiculously quick in a trial last week, although otherwise with little else to recommend about him) are each-way chances.