‘Red Could Liven Up Sunset

Second in the 2002 Sunset Handicap, Continental Red will likely be favored to win the Grade II today, the final day of Hollywood Park’s spring-summer meet.

Beaten by a head by longshot Grammarian, who some felt should have been disqualified that day for interfering with fifth-place finisher Adminniestrator -- Continental Red will be trying for his second consecutive victory for owners Sharon and Wes Fitzpatrick and trainer Ian Jory.

After failing to come close in his first three starts of 2003, the 7-year-old Flying Continental gelding appreciated a drop in with Cal breds last month. The 2-1 favorite in the Quicken Tree, he won by 4 1/2 lengths under jockey Patrick Valenzuela.

The win was his third over the Hollywood Park turf course and came at the Sunset distance of 1 1/2 miles.

The co-highweight with Continental Red at 116 pounds is Cagney. He showed some spark in his last start for trainer Richard Mandella.

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Race of the day: Wild Spirit, who made an auspicious U.S. debut in the Shuvee Handicap on May 17 at Belmont Park, will take on Mandy’s Gold, Summer Colony and five others in the $750,000 Delaware Handicap today at Delaware Park. Trained by Bobby Frankel for the Sumaya Us Stables, the 4-year-old Chilean bred will be ridden by Jerry Bailey as she tries for her eighth win in 12 starts.

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One for the road: To Go finished 4 1/2 lengths clear of the show horse when second in his return to the turf for trainer Randy Schulhofer and doesn’t have much to beat in today’s fourth at Belmont Park. The 3-year-old Chillito colt could be a single to start the pick six on the final day of the meet.

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Exotically speaking: A pick three using Windscore and Kimon in the sixth, singling Cagney in the seventh and using American System, Highly Tempting and Mansilver in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/183. Money: Previous day/meet total: $14.80/$982. Total money bet: $1,104.