(from Santa Anita notes)
On the Acorn, a rags-to-riches gelding who rose from the claiming ranks to win the 2007 San Juan Capistrano Handicap (gr. IIT), was retired after suffering a ligament tear while preparing for a return to the races in the San Luis Rey Handicap (gr. IIT) on March 21, according to trainer Mike Mitchell.
Claimed for $40,000 on Nov. 25, 2006, British-bred On the Acorn went on to win five of 10 starts and earn $581,400 for the Indizguys Stable’s partnership that includes Santa Anita publicist Jack Disney, his brother, Doug, former Angels baseball manager Buck Rodgers, former Los Angeles Times Hall of Fame baseball writer Ross Newhan, former USC and San Francisco 49ers receiver Paul Salata and insurance executive Fred Krueger.
On the Acorn retired with an overall record of 8-3-4 in 32 lifetime starts for career earnings of $743,812. Besides the San Juan Capistrano Handicap, the son of Inchinor captured Hollywood Park's Jim Murray Memorial Handicap (gr. IIT) twice.
“If he wasn't going to be the same horse at 8, we're just so grateful for the excitement and comraderie he provided our group, and will continue to savor his last race when he nipped Champs Elysees on the money to win his second Jim Murray,” Disney said. “Mike is going to give him to Sherry, the gallop girl who became so very devoted to Acorn, and maybe she will eventually make a jumper out of him. But the proviso is that he never show up on a racetrack again for anybody.
"While On the Acorn's performance far exceeded our wildest expectations, a most satisfying bi-product was the exciting comraderie he brought to our ownership group, many of whom entered the venture as little more than casual acquaintances."
“He’s been a real good horse and he’s retiring sound,” Mitchell said. “We wanted him to have a good life in retirement. That was our plan from the beginning.”