Closing Argument (horse)

Closing Argument (born April 4, 2002 in Florida) is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse. The son of Successful Appeal won the 2005 Holy Bull Stakes and finished third in the Blue Grass Stakes before competing in the Kentucky Derby.

Triple Crown races

On May 7, 2005, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin ran Closing Argument in the Kentucky Derby. With jockey Cornelio Velasquez aboard, the colt went off as the longest shot on the board at 72:1 odds. He broke from post 18 and bobbled while drifting out but moved up to sixth right behind the leaders as they passed the grandstand for the first time. Around the first turn, he was pushed out nine wide. Down the backstretch and going into the final turn, he inched up to fourth, making his way closer to the rail. Around that turn, he was in the four path and sprinted into first at the top of the stretch. One hundred yards from the wire, Giacamo closed to beat Closing Argument by a half length. It was less than another half length back to eventual Eclipse Award Champion Afleet Alex in third.

In the second leg of the Triple Crown, Closing Argument was fourth choice in a field of 14 at odds of 7:1. In the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course, he chased the pace just off the leaders as he did in the Derby in fifth. But at the seven furlong mark, he faded from contention and finished ninth behind Afleet Alex and seven others.

He was retired for 2006 with a record of 3-3-2 in nine career starts and earnings of $986,984. Closing Argument stood at stud at Sequel Stallion in Ocala, Florida, until 2008, when he was moved to Hill 'n' Dale Farms in Lexington, Kentucky.

Pedigree

References

• Closing Argument's pedigree and partial racing stats