Frosted trainer McLaughlin makes closing argument for Derby (The Associated Press)
Ten years ago, there was no better Kentucky Derby loser than Kiaran McLaughlin. The trainer watched in disbelief as his first Derby starter, Closing Argument, the longest shot in the field at odds of 71-1, seized the lead in the stretch only to be overtaken in the final yards by another long shot, 50-1 Giacomo. Minutes after the close call, McLaughlin’s brother and assistant, Neal, summed up the mood: ”We’re the happiest second-place finishers you’re ever going to find.” Next weekend, McLaughlin sends out his sixth Derby starter in Frosted, believing his Wood Memorial winner has a solid shot at giving him his first Derby victory. ”It’s going to be hard to get by them all,” McLaughlin said this week during a conference call, ”but we hope we can.” A full field of 20 3-year-olds is expected to be entered Wednesday, with trainer Bob Baffert set to send out the two favorites in unbeaten Dortmund and Arkansas Derby winner American Pharoah.