‘Kid Will Try His Luck

Two years ago, Leprechaun Kid finished third in the Sunset Breeders’ Cup Handicap, beaten by one length by the ill-fated Star Over The Bay, who was a very successful claim for trainer Mike Mitchell.

A little more than a year later, Mitchell claimed Leprechaun Kid for $80,000 and won the Del Mar Handicap with the gray gelding. Mitchell also had won the race with Star Over The Bay.

This afternoon, Mitchell and the partnership that claimed Leprechaun Kid will try to win the 65th Sunset, a Grade II at 1 1/2 miles on turf that is the closing day feature at Hollywood Park.

A 7-year-old son of Alphabet Soup, Leprechaun Kid will make his first start since finishing 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Oct. 29 at Belmont Park. He is reuniting with jockey Patrick Valenzuela, who has always ridden the veteran well.

The 118-pound highweight in the Sunset is T.H. Approval, who won the San Juan Capistrano earlier this year at Santa Anita. T.H. Approval, a 5-year-old With Approval horse, will be ridden by Alex Solis as he seeks his fourth win at Hollywood Park.

From the inside out, the rest of the field for the Sunset includes Sam Forli, Sultry Bard, Runaway Dancer, Mino Ona, Mighty Mysterious, Molengao, Mr. Splash and Wild Buddy.

Race of the day: Silver Train, the upset winner of the 2005 Breeders’ Cup Sprint and hero of the Metropolitan Handicap in May, heads a field of seven set to go seven furlongs in the $150,000 Tom Fool today at Belmont Park. Edgar Prado will ride Silver Train in the Grade II.

One for the road: Red Seattle, a 10-year-old gelding, is drawn perfectly on the outside and can win the fifth at Solano today. Russell Baze will ride Red Seattle in the $6,250 claimer at six furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Sizzling Sarah in the fourth, Grecian Sunrise, Hot Stuff Honey, Smooth Sis and American Ivy in the fifth and Walter Ringer and Cielo Blincoe in the sixth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 3/139. Money: (previous day/meet total): $16.80/$846.60. Total money bet: $1,050.