By Alan Carasso
In 2014, El Padrino (NZ) (Mr Nancho {Arg}) raided from Singapore to land a 1200m sprint race then named the Asia Challenge Cup before finishing second to Korea-based Choegang Schiller (Artie Schiller) in defense of his title 12 months later. Rebranded with the sponsorship of Keeneland in 2016, the Korea Sprint was won in smart style by Hong Kong's Super Jockey (NZ) (Sandtrap) and a new 1800m test with a W1-billion pot named the Korea Cup went the way of Japan's Chrysolite (Jpn) (Gold Allure {Jpn}). The 2017 renewals further demonstrate the growth and popularity of the event, as runners from six foreign jurisdictions–in addition to a strong group of locally based gallopers–are set to face the starter at Let's Run Park Sunday afternoon.
A rising 7-year-old, Chrysolite looks to go back-to-back in the Cup as he makes just his fourth trip to the races this term, but it is his compatriot London Town (Jpn) (Kane Hekili {Jpn}) who could be Japan's best hope. The Hokkaido Summer Yearling grad exits a victory in the G3 Elm S. at Sapporo Aug. 13 in which he established a new track record of 1:40.9 for the 1700m. Hong Kong is represented by the Juddmonte-bred Circuit Land (Mizzen Mast), one of two runners at the meeting for trainer Danny Shum. The 6-year-old is a two-time winner over the Sha Tin dirt track, but must prove he can handle the deeper and sandier track at Seoul. Modestly successful in restricted stakes company, Papa Shot (Distorted Humor) flies the American flag, while Triple Nine (Kor) (Ecton Park), third last year, and 11-time winner Champ Line (Kor) (Curlin), bought in utero at Keeneland November in 2011, form a solid home team.
Lucky Year (Aus) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) is the second Shum trainee and will try to make it two straight for Hong Kong while trying the main track for the first time in the Sprint, as is the China Horse Club's Wimbledon (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), who has held his own in stakes company in Singapore. U.S. hopes reside with the late-running The Truth Or Else (Yes It's True) who could be up against it over a surface that tends to favor horses who race prominently and out of the considerable kickback. It is a talented group of Korean sprinters who will try to win back the trophy, including Triple Crown winner Power Blade (Kor) (Menifee), champion Perdido Pomeroy (Pomeroy), the 4-year-old filly and Keeneland graduate Haeya (Flatter) and Doraonpogyeongseon (Kantharos), winner of half of his 14 career appearances and his last three over sprint distances.
TVG will televise both races to its U.S. viewers at 2:30 a.m. (Sprint) and 3:35 a.m. (Cup).
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