Home - Facts & Stats - Belmont Stakes Winners - 2003 Results

Belmont, NY (Sports Network) - Once again there is no Triple Crown winner. Empire Maker has won the 135th Belmont Stakes to keep Funny Cide from becoming the 12th Triple Crown winner.

Empire Maker, the Kentucky Derby favorite, splashed his way to a 3/4 length victory over Ten Most Wanted while Funny Cide finished a distant third. The time for the 1 1/2 miles was 2:28.26 over a sloppy Belmont Park track.

This was a renewal of what is becoming a great rivalry in thoroughbred racing. Earlier this year at Aqueduct, Empire Maker edged Funny Cide in the Wood Memorial. Funny Cide turned the tables in the Kentucky Derby. Empire Maker skipped the Preakness Stakes as Funny Cide took the first two jewels of the Triple Crown.

"We will be back," said Funny Cide jockey Jose Santos. "I can't wait for Funny Cide and Empire Maker to meet again. It will be a great rematch."

All six horses broke well from the gate at the start of the Belmont Stakes. Funny Cide quickly took the lead entering the first turn with Scrimshaw and Empire Maker close behind.

Heading up the backstretch Funny Cide remained on the lead as Empire Maker stalked his rival. Heading into the far turn Empire Maker drew even with Funny Cide as Ten Most Wanted moved into contention.

"I feel bad for all the people who came out," said Barclay Tagg, the trainer for Funny Cide. "We were beaten by a good horse. I don't know what else to say. I am being honest. It is horse racing."

Coming out of the turn Empire Maker assumed the lead as Funny Cide began to tire and Ten Most Wanted challenged. Down the stretch Empire Maker battled Ten Most Wanted and prevailed at the wire. Dynever finished fourth followed by Supervisor and Scrimshaw.

Empire Maker returned $6.00, $3.70 and $2.80. Ten Most Wanted paid $5.80 and $3.20, and Funny Cide paid $2.70 for show.

This is the second Belmont Stakes win for jockey Jerry Bailey, who won on Hansel in 1991. Empire Maker also gave trainer Bobby Frankel his first Triple Crown race victory. The three-year-old is owned by Juddmonte Farms.

"This is probably the best moment I've had in racing," Frankel said.

The win was worth $600,000 to the winner and brings Empire Maker's earnings to more than $1.8 million this year. He has won three of five races in 2003 and three of his last four races.

06/07 23:10:32 ET