On the Acorn seeks to continue ascent in Jim Murray

San Juan Capistrano Invitational H. (G2) winner ON THE ACORN (GB) (Inchinor [GB]) will

pursue his second straight graded win when he heads to the post in Saturday's

$250,000 Jim Murray Memorial H. (G2) at Hollywood Park. Claimed for $40,000 in

November, the six-year-old gelding has made a remarkable ascent in five starts

for trainer Mike Mitchell, winning two straight allowance/optional claiming

events before finishing a close and troubled third (placed second via

disqualification) in the San Luis Obispo H. (G2) two starts back. In the about 1

3/4-mile San Juan Capistrano, the late-running On the Acorn rallied boldly to a

1 1/2-length score. Jockey Victor Espinoza, who picked up the ride in the

Capistrano, will retain the mount in the 1 1/2-mile Jim Murray.

PROSPECT PARK (GB) (Sadler's Wells) and NOTABLE GUEST (Kingmambo) are both

top contenders in the six-horse field. A multiple Group 3 victor, 2004 French

Derby (Fr-G1) runner-up Prospect Park made his U.S. debut in early March

following a 1 1/2-year layoff. He improved off that tightener for Richard

Mandella, finishing only a length back in third in the San Luis Rey H. (G2) last

out, and is eligible to keep showing more on Saturday. Prospect Park should

relish the 12-furlong distance with jockey Corey Nakatani.

English Group 3 winner Notable Guest made his U.S. debut in January for Bobby

Frankel, finishing a close second in the San Marcos S. (G2), and he filled that spot

when a length back of Fourty Niners Son (Distorted Humor) in the San Luis Rey

most recently. The six-year-old horse will break from the rail under a 115-pound

impost that includes regular rider David Flores.

Following Notable Guest in the post parade will be RUNAWAY DANCER (Runaway

Groom), Alex Solis, 116; Prospect Park, 119; On the Acorn, 116; CHURCH SERVICE

(Pulpit), Brice Blanc, 112; and FITZ FLAG (Arg) (Flag Down), G.F. Almeida, 114.

The Jim Murray undercard features a pair of Grade 3 events. Vernon O.

Underwood S. (G3) winner SAILORS SUNSET (Petionville) is among six sprinters

entered in the

$100,000

Los

Angeles H. (G3). Third in the Potrero Grande Breeders' Cup H. (G2) last

out, the gray gelding holds the distinction of being the last horse to beat

leading California sprinter Smokey Stover (Put It Back) when capturing the

Saguaro S. at Turf Paradise in November. Last year's San Vicente S. (G2)

runner-up PEACE CHANT (War Chant) is another top contender in the six-furlong

heat. The Richard Mandella charge returned from a 13-month layoff to win an

allowance in mid-March and exits another sharp score over allowance/optional

claiming rivals in mid-April.

A full field of 12 sophomore fillies will square off in the

$100,000

Senorita

S. (G3). SUPER FREAKY (Smart Strike) and PASSIFIED (GB) (Compton

Place), the one-two finishers in the April 7 Providencia S. (G3), will both

return for the one-mile turf test. VALBENNY (Ire) (Val Royal [Fr]), winner of

the Miesque S. (G3) and Blue Norther S. in her first two U.S. starts, will

attempt to make amends for her sixth as the favorite in the Providencia, her

seasonal debut. European invaders MY LITTLE MARGIE (Giant's Causeway) and BIG

BERTHA (Ger) (Tertullian) are also in the line-up.