Forty Niner Wins by 3 Lengths at Belmont

NEW YORK — Claiborne Farm’s Forty Niner took an early lead and pulled away to a three-length victory Sunday in the $148,500 Marlboro Cup Futurity for 2-year-olds at Belmont Park.

Tsarbaby finished second, 2 lengths in front of 4-5 favorite Crusader Sword, who had won three straight races, including the Hopeful and the Saratoga Special. Endurance ran fourth.

It was the third victory in four starts for Forty Niner, a son of Mr. Prospector who is trained by Woody Stephens. His previous stakes win came in the Sanford at Saratoga on Aug. 17.

With Eddie Maple aboard, Forty Niner covered the seven furlongs on a track listed as good in 1:22 3/5. Forty Niner paid $11, $4.60 and $2.10 and won $83,100. Tsarbaby, ridden by Jose Santos, paid $4.20 and $2.10. Crusader Sword, ridden Randy Romero, paid $2.10.