WOOD MEMORIAL G1

Kentucky Derby contender EMPIRE MAKER became a millionaire in just his fifth trip to post. Empire Maker was away well and gave his jockey plenty of confidence right from the start.

The Juddmonte homebred was confidently ridden three wide into the stretch, collared Funny Cide at the furlong grounds, threw his ears straight up in the air thinking the mission was accomplished and held on by a deceptively easy half-length for his second consecutive Grade I victory.

Empire Maker looks certain to defend favouritism in the run for the Roses on May 3 after coping admirably with a muddy track to land the Aqueduct trial.

Date: 24 April 2003