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On the Acorn flies late in Jim Murray Indizguys Stable's ON THE ACORN (GB) (Inchinor [GB]) closed with a rush along the inside of pacesetter Prospect Park (GB) (Sadler's Wells) near the wire to capture the $250,000 Jim Murray Memorial H. (G2) over Hollywood Park's firm turf course on Saturday. The 5-2 second choice, trained by Mike Mitchell and ridden by Victor Espinoza, completed 1 1/2 miles in 2:29 and paid $7, $3.40 and $2.60. Winning the race named for the late Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist was particularly meaningful for On the Acorn's owners. Two of the partners in Indizguys Stable, Ross Newhan and Jack Disney, were former colleagues of Murray. Prospect Park took the lead soon after the start and led the field through pedestrian splits of :26 3/5, :51 4/5, 1:17 and 1:41 3/5 for the opening mile, while On the Acorn was unhurried in fifth. As they straightened for home, Prospect Park continued to hold a one-length lead and appeared to be well on his way to victory, but the six-year-old could not hold off the hard-charging winner, who found a clear seam between horses in the lane. Prospect Park held second as the 8-5 favorite, good for $3 and $2.40 while completing the $9.80 exacta ($1). Notable Guest (Kingmambo) saved ground all the way but had no final punch, staying on for the show at 3-1. The third-placer paid $2.60 while rounding out the $20.10 trifecta ($1) (4-3-1). Fitz Flag (Arg) (Flag Down) was next and trailed by Runaway Dancer (Runaway Groom) and Church Service (Pulpit). On the Acorn improved his lifetime mark to 28-7-3-3 with earnings of $560,812. The rejuvenated dark bay earned his second graded race of 2007, taking the San Juan Capistrano Invitational H. (G2) in April, and has also placed second in the San Luis Obispo H. (G2) this season. The winner was bred in Great Britain by Mrs. S. O'Brien, and was purchased for $26,559 at the 2003 Tattersalls April sale. The former claimer was produced from the winning Amarice (Suave Dancer).
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