By the time Empire Maker made his debut in October of 2002, the Unbridled son out of blue hen mare Toussaud had a lot to live up to as the half-brother to four graded stakes winners. But he passed that test with flying colors.
A winner of his debut, Empire Maker wasn’t able to add a stakes victory to his record in his next two starts, finishing third in the Grade 2 Remsen and second in the Sham, respectively.
But it was the Grade 1 Florida Derby where his true talent was shown.