Kiaran McLaughlin
A native of Lexington, Kentucky, McLaughlin now resides in Garden City, New York - the state where his core operation is based much of the year. Married with a son and daughter, McLaughlin also has a residence across seas in Dubai, where he was the leading trainer at Nad al Sheba Race Course from 1994-96. His top clients include Dubai natives Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum of Darley Stable, his brother Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum and prominent local businessman Ahmed al Tayer, along with top American-based syndicate West Point Thoroughbreds. McLaughlin's most notable tutelage came from the long and rich line of assistants for the powerful D. Wayne Lukas stable. He has campaigned such graded stakes winners as Dumaani, Intidab, Seattle Fitz, Randaroo, and Mustanfar. McLaughlin has never saddled a starter in the Kentucky Derby.
Cornelio Velasquez
A native of Panama, Velasquez first established himself as an apprentice by leading his country in 1985. He then won the leading rider title in Panama as a journeyman in 1994 and again in '95. After a 14-year career in his native country, he came to the Uinted States and launched successful campaigns in California and New York before basing himself at Calder Race Course in South Florida. In 2002, he swept the leading riding honors at Calder, winning both the regular season and Tropical titles, in addition to being at Churchill Downs. He won the 2003 Breeders' Cup Sprint (GI) aboard Cajun Beat. He has won over 2,000 races in his career, riding once in the Kentucky Derby, finishing 11th on Scrimshaw in 2003.
Philip and Marcia Cohen
Philip and Marcia Cohen, residents of Villanova, PA are majority owners of Mason Crest Book Publishers one of the leading publishers of non-fiction books for schools and libraries for the young adult marketplace in the US. The Cohen's previously owned and sold Chelsea House Publishers based in New York in 1999. The Cohen's have been involved in racing all their lives with their two sons Benjamin and Louis and owners since 1995. The Cohen's have 22 horses in training
with Kiaran McLaughlin racing under the name Terrapin Stables. Previous stakes winners include Booklet, Buckle Down Ben, Hennie's Honor and Hennie's Song. Closing Argument is their first Kentucky Derby entrant.
France Weiner & Irwin J. Weiner (FL)
France and Irwin Weiner have enjoyed a long-standing and successful breeding and pinhooking operation in the Florida market. France handles the core operations at their farm in the sunshine state, while Irwin practices as an attorney. The couple is also responsible for the mating of Florida-bred graded stakes winners Prime Directive and Najran, who equaled the American record for a mile in the 2003 Westchester Handicap (GIII) at Belmont Park, running the distance in 1:32.24.
05.06.05 - Spanish Chestnut Due In Saturday Morning 05.01.05 - Sunday Barn Notes 04.30.05 - Saturday Barn Notes 04.29.05 - Friday Barn Notes 04.28.05 - Thursday Barn Notes 04.16.05 - Bandini Earns His Way Into Derby With Blue Grass Triumph
02.05.05 - Closing Argument Convinces Foes In Holy Bull
Philip and Marcia Cohen's Florida-bred son of Valid Appeal first turned heads last winter with a runner-up finish in the $1 million Delta Jackpot at Louisiana's Delta Downs. Then he hung an upset defeat on Kentucky Derby rival High Fly - the latter's only career loss - in the Holy Bull (GIII) at Gulfstream Park. The Derby bid is a dream come true for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, a Lexington, Ky. native and former assistant to Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas who is participating in his first Kentucky Derby. Jockey Cornelio Velasquez won the Spring Meet riding crown at Churchill Downs in 2003, but he is in search of his first win in the famed "Run for the Roses."
Directly speaking, Closing Argument has a very modern pedigree, being from 2004 leading freshman sire Successful Appeal out of an unraced daughter of Mr. Greeley, who is also a relatively young stallion with only five crops to race. Like another Valid Appeal-line stallion, Valid Expectations - the 2001 leading freshman sire, Successful Appeal has stamped his progeny with speed and precociousness - two qualities typical of the In Reality sire line. With that being stated, the multiple Grade II winning Successful Appeal was a bona fide sprinter with his average winning distance being 6.25 furlongs from 22 career starts, and the majority of his first crop have excelled at similar distances. However, Closing Argument - along with multiple stakes winner Punch Appeal - are Successful Appeal's leading earners and both have made their mark around two turns. Additionally, Successful Appeal's dam, Successful Dancer (by Fortunate Prospect), is inbred 3x4 to Northern Dancer and 3x3 Lucky Debonair - both Kentucky Derby winners.
Dosage Index: 4.00
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