Kocaeli Race 3 - Race 3
STEEL STRONG (1) sets the standard at 61kg with a 2-from-2 record at 2000m and a HEAVY-track win here last start, plus 3 wins and 2 seconds from 5 at Kocaeli. BIG AVALANCHE (5) appeals as the main danger despite being first up, bringing consistent recent placings and a Kocaeli win, and drops to 53kg. DRAGON BREATH (4) is harder to trust off two unplaced runs but wasn’t far off when 5th at this trip here and benefits from a softer barrier. ALPHA JUNIOR (2) has Kocaeli form and a prior win here but is first up off a modest Istanbul run at longer trip; leaning to STEEL STRONG (1) on proven 2000m and heavy credentials.
Jockey: A.yildiz
Weight: 61kgs
Stats
Comments
In strong form, having won 2 of last 3, and comes off a 1st of 10 over 2000m on HEAVY at Kocaeli on 27 Oct. Boasts an excellent Kocaeli record (5:3-2-0). The A. Yildiz/N. Bakir pairing is reliable (6:3-3-0). Fourth up and proven at the trip and in the ground, Steel Strong has a solid platform for this small field.
Last Starts 14 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/10 | 27/10/2026 | - | TB | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 2000m | HEAVY | Ali̇ Yildiz | 55.5kg | - | - | 2 |
| - | $0.00 |
| 1/9 | 01/10/2026 | - | TB | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 2000m | GOOD | Ali̇ Yildiz | 57.5kg | - | - | 4 |
| - | $0.00 |
| 2/12 | 15/09/2026 | - | TB | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1400m | GOOD | Ali̇ Yildiz | 52kg | - | - | 3 |
| - | $0.00 |
| 10/11 | 01/05/2026 | - | $0.00 | Istanbul | 1600m | GOOD3 | Erhan Aktuğ | 58kg | - | - | 6 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 4/10 | 17/04/2026 | - | $0.00 | Bursa | 1500m | GOOD | Mahsun Turan | 54kg | - | - | 3 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 7/9 | 30/03/2026 | - | $0.00 | Bursa | 1400m | SOFT | H Karataş | 55kg | - | - | 3 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 2/7 | 16/03/2026 | - | $0.00 | Bursa | 1300m | GOOD | Ali̇ Yildiz | 56kg | - | - | 2 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 5/6 | 06/03/2026 | - | $0.00 | Bursa | 1200m | GOOD | T Yildiz | 54kg | - | - | 5 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 3/8 | 14/11/2025 | - | $0.00 | Istanbul | 1300m | Akin Sözen | 55kg | - | - | 6 |
| - | $0.00 | ||
| 1/8 | 04/11/2025 | - | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1500m | Ali̇ Yildiz | - | - | 9 |
| - | $0.00 | |||
| 2/11 | 07/10/2025 | - | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1200m | SOFT | Ali̇ Yildiz | 57kg | - | - | 3 |
| - | $0.00 |
Jockey: Mehmet Kaya
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
First up after about 4 months and returns to a track where he’s (3:1-1-0). Latest run was 5th of 6 over 2100m at Istanbul on 17 Jul on GOOD, and this is 2000m on HEAVY. Mehmet Kaya rides, and the small field suits a runner with proven Kocaeli form. Solid chance to perform to his Kocaeli record.
Last Starts 116 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/6 | 17/07/2026 | - | $0.00 | Istanbul | 2100m | GOOD | M Keçeci̇ | 58kg | - | - | 1 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 6/7 | 30/06/2026 | - | 3UP HCP | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1500m | GOOD | Ali̇ Yildiz | 52kg | - | - | 4 |
| - | $0.00 |
| 1/9 | 11/06/2026 | - | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1800m | Beki̇r Mert Mirik | - | - | 8 |
| - | $0.00 | |||
| 2/7 | 02/06/2026 | - | 3Y HCP | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1500m | GOOD | Mehmet Fati̇h Kaya | 57kg | - | - | 3 |
| - | $0.00 |
| 7/8 | 29/04/2026 | - | $0.00 | Istanbul | 2100m | GOOD3 | Mehmet Fati̇h Kaya | 55kg | - | - | 2 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 1/10 | 08/04/2026 | - | $0.00 | Istanbul | 1400m | Mehmet Fati̇h Kaya | 58kg | - | - | 11 |
| - | $0.00 | ||
| 6/13 | 28/03/2026 | - | $0.00 | Istanbul | 1400m | Mehmet Fati̇h Kaya | 58kg | - | - | 11 |
| - | $0.00 | ||
| 4/11 | 07/03/2026 | - | $0.00 | Istanbul | 2000m | Mehmet Fati̇h Kaya | - | - | 11 |
| - | $0.00 | |||
| 5/12 | 14/02/2026 | - | $0.00 | Istanbul | 1500m | Onur Yildiz | - | - | 1 |
| - | $0.00 |
Jockey: Mah.turan
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
Draws much better after coming from barrier 18 last start to barrier 4 here, which should help. Last time out was 9th of 18 over 1400m at Bursa on 2 Nov on GOOD going, and now faces 2000m on HEAVY. With the softer draw and a different setup, Dragon Breath gets a chance to improve.
Last Starts 8 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/18 | 02/11/2026 | - | 3Y OPEN | $0.00 | Bursa | 1400m | GOOD | Mahsun Turan | 56kg | - | - | 18 |
| - | $0.00 |
| 10/13 | 13/10/2026 | - | 3UP HCP15 | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1500m | UNKNOWN | Onur Atmaca | 52kg | - | - | 5 |
| - | $0.00 |
| 5/9 | 01/10/2026 | - | TB | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 2000m | GOOD | Mahsun Turan | 52.5kg | - | - | 7 |
| - | $0.00 |
| 1/14 | 01/09/2026 | - | TB | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1200m | GOOD | Mahsun Turan | 58kg | - | - | 10 |
| - | $0.00 |
| 3/12 | 18/08/2026 | - | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1500m | GOOD | Zülfükar Karabulut | 55kg | - | - | 7 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 7/7 | 10/07/2026 | - | $0.00 | Bursa | 1800m | UNKNOWN | Çağlar Taşci | 52kg | - | - | 1 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 3/8 | 16/06/2026 | - | 3Y COND | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1800m | Ali̇ Yildiz | 56kg | - | - | 5 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 3/9 | 02/06/2026 | - | 3Y COND | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1900m | GOOD | Onur Atmaca | 55kg | - | - | 4 |
| - | $0.00 |
| 4/10 | 22/05/2026 | - | $0.00 | Bursa | 1800m | GOOD | Onur Atmaca | 58kg | - | - | 4 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 4/10 | 30/03/2026 | - | $0.00 | Bursa | 1900m | SOFT | Onur Atmaca | 58kg | - | - | 7 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 9/12 | 11/03/2026 | - | $0.00 | Istanbul | 1200m | GOOD | Erhan Aktuğ | 58kg | - | - | 4 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 5/5 | 25/02/2026 | - | $0.00 | Istanbul | 1400m | GOOD3 | Erhan Aktuğ | 56kg | - | - | 3 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 4/8 | 04/11/2025 | - | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1500m | Erhan Aktuğ | - | - | 8 |
| - | $0.00 | |||
| 4/11 | 07/10/2025 | - | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1200m | SOFT | Erhan Aktuğ | 57kg | - | - | 7 |
| - | $0.00 |
Jockey: Ö.f.özen
Weight: 53kgs
Stats
Comments
First up after around 6 months, and drops to 53kg since last start. Won over 1400m at Kocaeli on 19 May and owns a solid local record (4:1-2-0). Has placed in 4 of last 5, and the Ö.F. Özen/Y. Öztaş partnership has filled the quinella spot 3 times from 5. Profiles as a consistent type suited by the weight and familiarity with the track for this 2000m test.
Last Starts 175 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/11 | 19/05/2026 | - | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1400m | GOOD | Nevzat Avci̇ | 55.5kg | - | - | 4 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 2/9 | 04/05/2026 | - | $0.00 | Bursa | 1800m | GOOD3 | Ö F Özen | 56kg | - | - | 1 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 2/9 | 28/04/2026 | - | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1200m | GOOD | Ö F Özen | 52kg | - | - | 4 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 2/9 | 14/04/2026 | - | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1500m | GOOD | Ö F Özen | 57kg | - | - | 3 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 5/7 | 16/03/2026 | - | $0.00 | Bursa | 1300m | GOOD | Ö F Özen | 57.5kg | - | - | 3 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 11/11 | 09/03/2026 | - | $0.00 | Bursa | 1200m | GOOD | H Karataş | 60.5kg | - | - | 8 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 2/8 | 23/01/2026 | - | $0.00 | Bursa | 1400m | SOFT | Ali̇ Yildiz | 60kg | - | - | 4 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 5/6 | 07/01/2026 | - | $0.00 | Istanbul | 1400m | GOOD | Ö F Özen | 57kg | - | - | 3 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 8/9 | 30/09/2025 | - | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1500m | SOFT | Akin Sözen | 54kg | - | - | 6 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 3/8 | 25/05/2025 | - | $0.00 | Istanbul | 1000m | GOOD | A Kaçmaz | 55kg | - | - | 9 |
| - | $0.00 |
Jockey: O.atmaca
Weight: 52kgs
Stats
Comments
Carries 52kg after a 4kg drop since the last run, which could help stretching to 2000m on heavy ground. Last start was 10th of 14 over 1200m at Kocaeli on 1 Sep on good going, so this is a very different setup. O. Atmaca rides for G. Taşdelen. Needs to lift but the lighter weight offers some appeal in a small field.
Last Starts 70 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/14 | 01/09/2026 | - | TB | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1200m | GOOD | Ali̇ Yildiz | 56kg | - | - | 3 |
| - | $0.00 |
| 6/13 | 18/08/2026 | - | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1500m | GOOD | T Yildiz | 56kg | - | - | 7 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 2/16 | 30/07/2026 | - | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1400m | GOOD | T Yildiz | 56kg | - | - | 3 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 4/11 | 14/07/2026 | - | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1800m | GOOD | M Tekpetek | - | - | 2 |
| - | $0.00 | ||
| 7/7 | 09/07/2026 | - | 3Y COND | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1900m | Ha Gökçe | 51kg | - | - | 2 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 6/16 | 22/06/2026 | - | 3Y MDN | $0.00 | Bursa | 1200m | FAST | Ha Gökçe | 52kg | - | - | 5 |
| - | $0.00 |
| 6/11 | 04/06/2026 | - | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1400m | GOOD | Ali̇ Yildiz | 58kg | - | - | 7 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 7/13 | 26/05/2026 | - | $0.00 | Kocaeli | 1400m | GOOD3 | Enes Bozdağ | 56kg | - | - | 6 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 7/16 | 06/05/2026 | - | $0.00 | Istanbul | 1500m | Ali̇ Yildiz | 58kg | - | - | 6 |
| - | $0.00 | ||
| 4/16 | 24/04/2026 | - | $0.00 | Bursa | 1300m | HEAVY | Enes Bozdağ | 56kg | - | - | 14 |
| - | $0.00 | |
| 13/13 | 28/03/2026 | - | $0.00 | Istanbul | 1400m | Enes Bozdağ | - | - | 2 |
| - | $0.00 | |||
| 11/12 | 23/02/2026 | - | $0.00 | Bursa | 1400m | GOOD | E Akpinar | 55kg | - | - | 6 |
| - | $0.00 |