Closing Argument Works; Florida Derby Next

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Edited Gulfstream Park release
Philip and Marcia Cohen's Closing Argument, winner of the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) and one of the most prominent 3-year-olds on the 2005 Triple Crown trail, worked a handy five furlongs in 1:01.40 at Palm Meadows Feb. 28, but the son of Successful Appeal   will bypass Saturday's Fountain of Youth (gr. II) and be pointed for the April 2 Florida Derby (gr. I).

"He worked great," said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin of the Holy Bull hero. "We got him going the half in :48 4/5 and then up in 1:01 2/5.

"The Florida Derby is the next goal," said McLaughlin. "The Fountain of Youth was never under serious consideration."

The McLaughlin-trained Mustanfar, who won Keeneland's grade III Sycamore Breeders' Cup last fall, breezed a half-mile in :47.60 in advance of Sunday's grade I Gulfstream Park Breeders' Cup Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on the grass.

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