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Belmont winner Empire Maker retired

LEXINGTON, Ky., Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Empire Maker has been retired to stud, ending an injury-plagued career that was highlighted by a victory in the Belmont Stakes.

By winning the longest leg in horse racing's Triple Crown, he denied Funny Cide that distinction.

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Empire Maker, who horse has been bothered a recurring hoof injury that first flared up before the Kentucky Derby, won four times and had three runner-up finishes in eight career starts, posting earnings of $1,985,800.

The injury forced the 3-year-old colt out of last week's Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park. The retirement was expected after trainer Bobby Frankel said last week that Empire Maker was doubtful for the Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 25.

"Empire Maker is the best horse I have ever trained," Frankel said. "We weren't within 10 lengths of seeing this horse's best race."

Empire Maker will stand for a stud fee of $100,000. He finished second in the Derby, and was runnerup in the Aug. 3 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga.

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