A Longshot for Mulhall

Four trainers have won the Sunset Handicap, the traditional closing-day feature for Hollywood Park’s spring-summer meet, in consecutive years.

Tom Smith, who trained Seabiscuit during his glory days, was the first, winning with Sorteado in 1939 and the following year with Kayak II.

Charlie Whittingham, Ed Gregson and Richard Mandella have also won back-to-back Sunsets. Whittingham won six in a row, beginning with Exceller in 1978 and continuing through 1983.

Kristin Mulhall will try to join the list today, but it would be quite a shock if the young trainer does get the money in the Grade II with Gulchie, who is 15-1 on Russ Hudak’s morning line.

Successful with Puerto Banus in 2003, Mulhall will be trying to win the 1 1/2-mile turf race with a 6-year-old, who is 0 for 10 since the beginning of last year and who is only two for 20 lifetime.

The favorite in the Sunset, which is part of a pick four with a guaranteed pool of $500,000, is Continuously. Trained by Bobby Frankel for owner Saud bid Khaled, the 5-year-old Diesis horse will be ridden by Alex Solis. Frankel and Solis teamed to win the race in 1998 with River Bay.

Race of the day: Summer Wind Dancer will make her first start outside California in today’s $750,000 Delaware Handicap at Delaware Park. Victor Espinoza will ride the 4-year-old Siberian Summer filly for trainer Jeff Mullins in the Grade II at 1 1/4 miles.

One for the road: Icy Atlantic, who is a nose away from having a four-race win streak, can earn his second graded stakes win for owner Arthur Appleton and trainer Todd Pletcher in the $100,000 Lexington at Belmont Park. John Velazquez will ride the 3-year-old Stormy Atlantic colt in the 1 1/4-mile turf contest.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Apple Juice Tea in the fifth, Chanel Islands and Passion For Words in the sixth and Eva’s Royalty, Cerese Sunrise and Great White North in the seventh.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 5/161. Money: Previous day/meet total: $34/$937.80. Total money bet: $1,084.