3 minute read
Blue Chipper returns to Seoul Racecourse on Sunday for the first time since winning the Korea Sprint in 2019, a victory which punched his ticket to Santa Anita where he went on to run 3rd in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.
He's back at the Sprint distance of 1200M but runs slap bang into a host of Korea's top sprint stars, including new star Eoma Eoma in the SBS Sports Sprint (KOR-G3).
Algorithms four-year-old Eoma Eoma took part in this race last year and ran a strong 3rd but has only got better in the intervening time, breaking the track record at 1400M and putting in a string of fine runs. He has drawn the outside gate but there is every reason to believe that won't matter.
Blue Chipper draws well and after a frustrating campaign of giving away vast amounts of weight in handicaps during the Covid-relief racing period, finally gets to run at level weights. But even if he manages to see off Eoma Eoma, there is still plenty of other talent to deal with.
Morfhis won this race last year, powering home late under Johan Victoire. The draw doesn't matter for him and in a race with lots of early speed, he may well take advantage. East Jet, from the inside gate is also a huge danger. He won the SROA Trophy last year at this distance and has posted formidable times.
SBS Sports Sprint (1200M-KOR G3) KRW 350 Million
1. EAST JET (KOR) [Strike Again – Lend (Coronado's Quest)] – He was 4th in this race last year and won the SROA Trophy at this distance. He suffered a surprise defeat at this distance at his latest start in July but is capable of fast times and comes back down in the weights under today's conditions. He draws well and is worth plenty of thought. Has a great start on him and may lead.
2. SPRING BACK (USA) [Gemologist – Frangible (Broken Vow)] – Pulled off a super win on August 29th at class 1 over this distance beating Morfhis, among others. He was though getting 9kg from Morfhis that day and this is a very different prospect. Draws well and can run a fast time but others favoured.
3. BLUE CHIPPER (USA) [Tiznow – Dixie City (Dixie Union)] – International Group 1 placed at a mile and winner at his latest start over 1800M, he won the Korea Sprint at course and distance in 2019. Placed this distance in July and August when giving away a lot of weight. Draws well and at level weights he can't be left out. He will be on pace from the start and will be in this a long way. Winning chances.
4. GAENARI SONG (KOR) [Simon Pure – Songbird Too (Songandaprayer)] – Promoted to winner class and distance three starts back when East Jet was disqualified. 4th behind Spring Back and Morfhis at his latest start on August 29th. Solid Class 1 sprinter but at level weights against the elite, it may be tough.
5. MEDICI GLORY (USA) [Gemologist – Elusive Noise (Elusive Quality)] – First start since May when he was 2nd at class 1 over 1400M. He trialed up well last week. Generally a come from behind type, he will run on and he has some decent times to his name including when 5th in this race a year ago. Repeating that would be an excellent result.
6. HAVANA CHARLIE (USA) [Adios Charlie – Pajama Mama]] – Only Eoma Eoma, Morfhis and East Jet have posted faster times at the distance than Havana Charlie but his recent form isn't stellar. 5th behind Eoma Eoma at his latest, he runs best when handy to the lead and he just hasn't been getting away quick enough to do that in the kind of company he runs against. If he jumps out well, he can run well but not a winning chance here.
7. YEONGUNG LOUIS (USA) [Violence – Don't Stop To Shop (Unbridled's Song)] – The sole three-year-old in the field. He has won three of his latest four, beaten by Heat Yegam, the impressive Cup Mile winner, in the other over 1400M. Class 3 win at this distance at his latest start when he settled midfield and led from the top of the straight. Promising but this is an order of magnitude harder.
8. GLOBAL CAPTAIN (USA) [Munnings – Queen Mercury (Langfuhr)] – Pulled of a surprise win over East Jet two starts back before running 5th to Spring Back on his latest outing. A bit of an unruly type, he has the second fastest time at this distance among these to his name albeit some time ago. Found wanting in this race last year, others are favoured.
9. DAEMANGUI GIL (KOR) [Run Away And Hide – Motega (Yonaguska)] – Ran 2nd to Blue Chipper's 3rd at this distance at Busan when getting 5kg from him in August. That was his first try at class 1 level although he won at this distance at class 2 in July in a decent time. This looks very hard though.
10. MORFHIS (USA) [Stephen Got Even – Chinchilla (Rubiano)] – The winner of this race last year when he powered home late from a wide draw. At his latest start on August 29th, he was 2nd to Spring Back but was giving away 9kg. Likewise, he gave 8kg to Eoma Eoma when 4th over 1400M in July. Level weights is very much in his favour. He likes to settle midfield and run on and with so much speed in the race, it may suit him. Draw not an issue. He has a chance.
11. M J POWER (USA) [Central Banker – Making A Point (Freud)] – Solid class 1 sprinter who has plenty of experience of racing in this company. Rarely too far away, he settles in the middle of the pack and runs on but at level weights and with this caliber of opposition, a minor money finish would be an excellent result.
12. EOMA EOMA (USA) [Algorithims – Lignite (Run Away And Hide)] – Morfhis, Dokki Blade and East Jet all beat him over this distance last summer but a year on, he has got better. In sensational form having won his last six in class 1, breaking the 1400M track record in the process and coming close at this distance too. He isn't assisted by the draw, but he is hard to go past
