It’s the big one for the three-year-old locally bred division on Sunday as the 2025 Korean Triple Crown gets underway with the KRA Cup Mile (1600M KOR-G2) at Busan and a full field of sixteen – seven from the host track and nine who have travelled down from Seoul – will compete for the first jewel.

Trainer Baik Kwang-yeol and owner Lee Jong-hun won this race with Betelgeuse in 2023, and the pair arrive with two of the leading fancies in this edition in the shape of Oasis Blue , who won Busan's Classic Trial in February, along with BEOLMAUI ANGEL, who boasts the highest rating in the race.

Chan Famous  won Seoul's Classic Trial and leads the capital's challenge in Busan in the colours of owner Shum Ho-chun. Plenty though will fancy LONG RUN BULPAE, 2nd in that race, to overturn the form on Chan Famous.

The biggest juvenile race of last season, the Breeders' Cup Rookie (1400M KOR-G2) was won by 80/1 outsider Aqua Line. He hasn't raced since and isn't here while that day's runner-up Dragon Ninja, is sent to race 5 on Sunday instead. That leaves KHAN MAX, who was 3rd, as the best finisher in that race, who goes here, and he won't be among the favourites.

Race Shape: (1) LONG RUN BULPAE and (3) BEOLMAUI ANGEL both like to race on pace and both have drawn very well to do so (9) OASIS BLUE has been close to the speed in both his latest successes and while drawn wider this time will not want to be too far away. (11) ELDORADO NOLBU, (12) GANGNARU and (13) CHAN FAMOUS have all shown an ability to come from off the pace and given their wide draws will most likely settle back and seek to close.

Here's who is taking part in the big race which has a local post time of 16:30 and is race 6 on the card:

1. LONG RUN BULPAE – Three wins up to class 4 and 1200M. 2nd to Chan Famous in the Sports Seoul having been on pace and going down less than a length. Moon Se-young travels down to ride, he can be on pace here and is a chance.

2. WONDERFUL GROOM – Awarded the Listed Gimhae Mayor's Trophy in the stewards' room when Oasis Blue was thrown out. Well back in the Gyeongnam Shinmun Classic trial but does have a 2nd place on his only start at this distance. Outsider.

3. BEOLMAUI ANGEL – A winner of four from eight up to class 3 level he has the highest rating of any of these. 4th on first try at a mile last time out having shown on pace throughout. That should stand him in good stead here, he draws beautifully, and he can win. Seo Seung-un is aboard.

4. MY DREAM WAY – Just the one win but has begun this year well with a class 4 2nd and then 3rd in the Gyeongnam Shinmun. Others favoured but looks to be getting better with each run and can settle handy and run on and will have Alan Munro at the controls.

5. UNJU GUY – 5th in the Gyeongnam Shinmun was his worst finish to date but he has won at 1800M and has a 4th place at a mile, both at class 4 level. Can sit on pace or handy and is a minor money chance. Jockey You Hyun-myung has won this race four times, most recently last year.

6. YONGBI PAEWANG – Came from well off the pace to run 2nd in the Gyeongnam Shinmun having previously won over 1400M at class 5 level. Inconsistent but the step up in trip can suit and he can be doing his best work late again.

7. CAPTAIN P.K. – Listed winner last autumn in Seoul before running 5th of sixteen in the Breeders' Cup Rookie. 4th in the Sports Seoul when drawn wide but today's trip may suit better as he has run well at 1700M. A chance.

8. WONDERFUL JONES – Solitary win was at class 6 level, but he comes in following a very fair 4th in the Gyeongnam Shinmun when settling just behind the speed and running on. Further improvement possible but others favoured at this stage.

9. OASIS BLUE – Emphatic winner of the Gyeongnam Shinmun prior to which he scored over 1800M at class 4 level leading all the way around. On both those efforts, he is the one to beat here.

10. WONDERFUL NORTHERN – Finished midfield in the Breeders' Cup Rookie but since has a win at class 5 and back-to-back runner-up efforts at class 4, one at a mile. Likes to settle back and run on and can be a place chance. Jockey CC Wong rode stablemate Chan Famous to win Seoul's Classic Trial

11. ELDORADO NOLBU – Has finished no worse than 4th in eight starts and enters off three consecutive 2nd places between a mile and 1800M. Likes to settle back so the draw is no problem, and he can challenge for a money finish.

12. GANGNARU – Has been in the top three every time and comes in after back-to-back wins most recently at this distance at class 4 level on March 9th by a dominant six-lengths. Every chance of going well here.

13. CHAN FAMOUS – Lon shot winner of the Sports Seoul when coming from well off the pace, that took him to three wins from five. The step up in trip can be to his benefit and with plenty of scope for more development, he can be a danger here.

14. BEST RACE – A winner of three from five and 3rd in the Sports Seoul. He has done his best work from on pace so has the challenge of a wide draw but with a bit of luck at the start can find a forward position.

15. KHAN MAX – Won his first two and then ran 3rd in the Breeders' Cup Rookie. He hasn't impressed in wither start this term though, most recently running 7th in the Sports Seoul. That's enough for him to be an outsider here.

16. SPLENDID – Sole win was at class 6 level. And most recently only beat three home in the Sports Seoul Trophy. Hard to have from the widest gate.