MIAMI -- The Florida Marlins are rounding third and headed for home in their fight for a new stadium after another day in court Monday in the lawsuit over the Miami Megaplan.

Judge Jeri Beth Cohen came close to ruling in favor of Miami-Dade County's massive Megaplan, the nearly $3 billion public works project that will build a new $500 million home for the Marlins, among other things.

"I am ready to enter a ruling in favor of the county," Cohen said in court.

Miami auto dealer Norman Braman sued to stop the deal, arguing that any attempt to use public money to fund a private enterprise, like the Marlins, should go to a vote by the people. Last week, in a similar case, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that no referendum is needed.

The county's lawyers said Monday that the Supreme Court's clear verdict means that the Braman case is done. But Braman's lawyers asked for another week to prepare their appeal.

"I intend to follow this process all the way through, as I've said before," Braman said. "This is only the end of the third inning. There's six more innings to play. I'm even more confident today that we will win on appeal."

Braman's confidence came in part due to a change in store for the state Supreme Court. Braman said he believes the new justices could reverse the ruling that appears to have killed his case.

Cohen called that a long shot.

"I wouldn't give Mr. Braman too much hope on this one," Cohen said.