BELMONT, N.Y., June 7 (UPI) -- Empire Maker thwarted Funny Cide's bid for immortality Saturday and gave trainer Bobby Frankel his first Triple Crown victory.
Empire Make held off Ten Most Wanted down the stretch to win the 135th Belmont Stakes and ensure the longest Triple Crown drought in history.
Funny Cide, the gelding with small-town owners, created a buzz in the horse racing world with improbable wins in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.
Instead of becoming the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978, he became the fifth horse in the last seven years to win the first two legs and come up short.
Seventeen horses have failed in the Belmont after winning the first two races - nine since Affirmed won his duel with Alydar in 1978.
Funny Cide set the early pace with Jose Santos aboard but faded after Empire Maker took the lead at the middle of the far turn and settled for third.
