Empire Maker Tops Final NTRA 3-year-old Poll

In a very close vote by 23 media representatives, Empire Maker came out on top of the final 3-year-old poll of 2003 conducted by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.

Thirteen voters had Empire Maker atop their ballot while 10 went with Funny Cide. The vote by points was 220-214. With 10 points for a first place vote, 230 was the highest possible total. Thus all 10 of those who voted for Empire Maker first also voted for Funny Cide second.

Funny Cide won two legs of the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Preakness (gr. I), and Empire Maker took the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). Empire Maker won two of the three meetings between the two, the Belmont and Wood Memorial (gr. I). Empire Maker was second in the Derby.

1. Empire Maker (13) 220 points

2. Funny Cide (10) 214

3. Ten Most Wanted 167

4. Peace Rules 114

5. Bird Town 108

6. Atswhatimtalknbout 83

7. Midway Road, 59

8. Dynever 58

9. Midas Eyes 52

10. Posse 48