Locals In Search of Breakthrough In Keeneland Korea Cup, Sprint

[Wandering Eyes]

Japanese-based dirt horses have proven too tough in the first two runnings of the 1-billion Keeneland Korea Cup, with Chrysolite (Jpn) (Gold Allure {Jpn}) leading home his compatriot Kurino Star O (Jpn) (Admire Boss {Jpn}) in 2016 before filling the runner-up spot behind London Town (Jpn) (Kane Hekili {Jpn}) in the race 12 months ago. While the latter is back to defend his title, Cheongdam Dokki (To Honor and Serve) will spearhead the Korean challenge and will be well-backed to become the first locally based winner of the 1800-metre event.

A $20,000 Keeneland September graduate, the 4-year-old gelding amassed a record of 5-3-0 from nine runs in 2017, winning by a combined 42 lengths, good enough to take home honors as champion 3-year-old. Undefeated, albeit less dominant in four races this season, he most recently made the long trip down to Busan and overcame gate 13 to defeat Cheonji Storm (Kor) (Admire Don {Jpn}) for a first black-type victory in the Busan Mayor’s Cup (1800m) July 1. Cheongdam Dokki drew 13 Sunday, just to the inside of last year’s winner and the outposted 15-time winner Clean Up Joy (Purge).

Dolkong (Afleet Alex) won his final four starts of 2017, including a victory at a dime on the dollar at ths track last October, but went missing for 10 months with an injury. He resumed with an eight-length victory in an Aug. 11 Class 1 handicap over course and distance and can be a factor, though winning rider Manoel Nunes deserts for Cheongdam Dokki.

WATCH: Cheongdam Dokki winning the Mayor’s Cup at Busan July 1

Japan’s Graceful Leap (Jpn) (Gold Allure {Jpn}) proved too tough in last year’s Keeneland Korea Sprint, and the Land of the Rising Sun looks well-represented here by Moanin (Henny Hughes). By the sire of the phenomenally talented multiple US champion Beholder, the New York-bred is a previous winner of the G1 February S., setting a Tokyo track record in the process, and broke an 11-race skid with a stakes tally in March.

Doraonpogyeongseon (Kantharos), third in last year’s Sprint was named champion sprinter in Korea last season and will cut back to six furlongs off a victory in the 1600-metre Busan Owners’ Cup July 29.

Chublicious (Hey Chub) stepped out of New Jersey-bred company to cause a 10-1 upset in last year’s GIII Frank DeFrancis Memorial Dash and was victorious in the Mr. Prospector S. at Monmouth Park in his penultimate appearance June 17. Ron Faucheux saddles the Brittlyn Stable colorbearer.

 

View the full article