3 minute read

Keiai Dorie was scratched from the Sprint on Saturday, but Japan-trained horses will still be hotly fancied to take out both the OBS Korea Cup (1800M G3) and OBS Korea Sprint (1200M G3) at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

Both races are "Win & You're In" qualifiers for the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar in November.

A probable front-runner having drawn gate number two, Keiai Dorie was first observed slightly lame on Friday and after examination, was withdrawn as a precaution. That leaves fifteen facing the starter for the 1.4 Billion won OBS Korea Sprint, with defending champion Remake likely to start as the heavy favourite.

"The plan was always to come back to Korea, so we took time off to refresh after Dubai." Assistant Trainer Matsuda Masafumi explained to the Korea Racing Broadcast Channel (KRBC) about Remake 's long absence since his 4th place in the Golden Shaheen at Meydan on March 30th. "We really want to win this race because we plan to go to the United States (Breeders' Cup Sprint) afterwards."

With Keiai Dorie out of the picture, Jasper Krone is the only other remain ing Japanese representative in the Sprint. His recent form has been patchy, but the seasoned globe-trotter has been racing in top class company. "This is a horse that runs better on sandier tracks" said trainer Hideyuki Mori, speaking to KRBC. "I think the Korean track will suit him and if we can get off to a good start, we have a chance. We really want to go to the Breeders' Cup."

Out to stop the Japanese pair as well as the set of the local speedsters is a horse who already knows Del Mar very well, the Doug O'Neill trained Anarchist. "We've come all the way from California, but it looks like he loves this track and he's been training pretty good, so we're comfortable." rider Fredy Gonzalez explained to KRBC. "His last races have been a little tough, but he has shown us great results, so we gave him a little time off (and now) I ride him every morning and for me, he is 100% ready." Jockey Edwin Maldonado is likely to be looking to get to the lead early.

The local Korean challenge is headed by Speed Young while the 2022 winner Eoma Eoma and the 2023 runner-up Beolmaui Star will also be in the starting gate. The wildcard is the only filly in either of the two races, Gangseo Giant. She broke the track record for 1200M at Busan in August and gets her chance among the elite.

In the 1.6 Billion Won OBS Korea Cup, Crown Pride returns to defend his crown. He struggled for form in a couple of races after last year's victory, including 9th place in the Saudi Cup, but recently returned to form with victory in the Listed Mercury Cup at Morioka.

"We ran hard in the Saudi Cup, competing with the world's best horses but were then disappointing (in the Kashiwa Kinen)." Matsuda Masufumi said to KRBC. "In the Mercury Cup, though the opponents may not have been of the highest level, he achieved his goal, which was to win." 

While Yuga Kawada, who was victorious on Crown Pride last year, jumps on rival Wilson Tesoro this time, Matsuda has plenty of faith in Takeshi Yokoyama, already known for wins on the likes of Titleholder and Efforia. "Our jockey Yokoyama is something of a super-rookie in Japan. He knows the horse and will ride him to his strengths. True, Kawada knows Crown Pride very well too and knows his pros and cons, but Crown Pride loves the Korean conditions, and he will help Yokoyama."

In Wilson Tesoro, a proven G1 competitor and 4th placegetter behind Laurel River in the Dubai World Cup, Crown Pride faces a formidable opponent. "We came because we thought this was the kind of race where Wilson Tesoro could really show his ability." Assistant Trainer Kazuya Oba said. "He is very well, both mentally and physically and we had been preparing him for the Korean sand and he has adjusted very well after arrival. He was 2nd (in the Teio Sho) which was a good preparation for this."

Light Warrior rounds out the Japanese challenge. "We were originally thinking to run at Oi but the sand conditions there have recently changed so we looked for another race and we felt this was the perfect fit; very similar surface to Kawasaki (Racecourse) and also running counterclockwise." Assistant Trainer Takahiro Seto told KRBC. "It is true that there is a (rating) gap between him and Japan's top horses, but these conditions are perfect for him."

The local Korean challenge is headlined by last year's Korean Derby winner Global Hit , a winner of three out of four Group races that he has participated in this year. 2022 victor Winner's Man returns to action for the first time since winning the Grand Prix Stakes last December, while Simjangui Godong is another local money chance.

The OBS Korea Sprint will be race 6 at Seoul on Sunday with a local post time of 15:20. The OBS Korea Cup is race 7 at 16:30.