10 Horses, Including Onuldosmile, to Compete at LetsRun Park Busan-Gyeongnam on May 4
Korea Racing Authority's LetsRun Park Busan-Gyeongnam (headed by Um Youngseok) will host the 26th Korean Oaks (GⅡ) as the sixth race at Busan-Gyeongnam on May 4, with the starting time set for 4:30 p.m.
This event, with a total prize of 700 million won, will be run over a distance of 1,800 meters and serves as the definitive stage of the filly Triple Crown, open exclusively to three-year-old Korean-bred fillies. All participating horses will carry the same assigned weight of 55kg, regardless of their rating.
The Korean Oaks is the second leg of the 'Triple Tiara Series,' but it is regarded as the most prestigious race in the series and is considered the pinnacle event that determines the champion filly. The series began with the Luna Stakes in March, continues with this Korean Oaks (GⅡ, 1,800m), and concludes with the Gyeonggi Province Governor's Cup (GⅢ, 2,000m) on June 8.
This year's race will feature a total of 10 horses: two from Seoul and eight from Busan-Gyeongnam. In particular, attention is focused on the showdown between 'Fantasticvalue,' winner of the Luna Stakes, and the up-and-coming 'Onuldosmile,' who is on a four-race winning streak.
'Onuldosmile' will be making her first appearance in the Triple Tiara Series through this Korean Oaks. She boasts a flawless record of four wins from four starts, having never been defeated. However, a key variable is that her previous race experience has been limited to the shortest distance of 1,200 meters. In her most recent race, she seized the lead from the start and achieved a commanding victory by a margin of 14 lengths, leaving a strong impression on racing fans.
Experts unanimously select 'Fantasticvalue' as the top contender for victory. She proved her dominance among fillies by winning the Luna Stakes by five lengths. Her sire is 'Afleet Express,' who produced the 2022 Triple Crown winner 'Golden Power,' and her dam is 'Union Bell,' also the dam of 'Fantastic Kingdom,' making her pedigree highly anticipated. Her versatility in both stalking and closing, along with her reliable stamina, are considered her strengths.
'Boryeonglightqueen,' notable for being the only horse in the field weighing over 500kg, has already adapted to the 1,800-meter distance. In the previous Luna Stakes, she finished third despite interference during the race, and in her prior starts, she recorded consecutive second and first-place finishes. Her rare physique for a filly race and her tenacious running ability are expected to serve as significant advantages.
'Limetree' finished third in the Luna Stakes but was demoted to fourth due to a ruling of interference. Nevertheless, her persistent closing speed from mid-pack and her late acceleration were impressive. Her ability to employ a variety of tactics makes her a strong dark horse candidate.
The Korean Oaks, which determines the pinnacle of filly racing, is a stage that demands comprehensive abilities, including distance adaptability, racing tactics, and pedigree advantages. In particular, the clash between Fantasticvalue and Onuldosmile has emerged as the focal point, further heightening the anticipation of racing fans.
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