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RUFFIAN 11-RACE TIME CAPSULE
She won her five races as a two-year-old by nearly 46 lengths. The critics questioned her ability to go a distance but she silenced them all by winning the 1-1/2 mile Coaching Club American Oaks in her three-year-old season to complete her sweep of New York's Filly Triple Crown - her 10th straight victory for the unbeaten RUFFIAN. She had won the ten races by a total of 83-1/2 lengths! No other horse had ever passed her on the track; except for the first few steps out of the gate, at every point of call, in every race, short or long, RUFFIAN had always been on the lead.
Next and last...her talent and ability was no contest for her own division so a match-race was her final and last challenge against that years Kentucky Derby winner, FOOLISH PLEASURE...it would be forever a race many would wish never took place. She was not only undefeated: she was perfect.
A HISTORIC TIME CAPSULE OF THE IMMORTAL RUFFIAN - featuring ALL 11 OF HER RACES FROM START TO FINISH including her tragic eleventh start facing that year's Kentucky Derby winner, FOOLISH PLEASURE; in one of the saddest chapters in racing history.
RUFFIAN's races as a two-year-old include her breathtaking 15-length win breaking her maiden on 5/22/74 in a 5-1/2 furlong maiden special weights allowance race at Belmont, the Fashion Stakes on 6/12/74 at Belmont, the Astoria Stakes on 7/10/74 at Aqueduct, the Sorority Stakes on 7/27/74 at Monmouth, and the Spinaway Stakes on 8/23/74 at Saratoga.
Races as a three-year-old include the Calthea Purse on 4/14/75 at Aqueduct, the Comely Stakes at Aqueduct on 4/30/75, the Acorn on 5/10/75 at Aqueduct, the Mother Goose on 5/31/75 at Aqueduct, the Coaching Club American Oaks at Belmont cementing her New York Triple Crown Filly Tiara on 6/21/75 and finally the unfortunate ill-fated July 6, 1975, match race at Belmont.
During two short seasons at the track, RUFFIAN was hailed as the greatest filly of all time. Unbeaten in her ten starts she had shattered one record after another, dazzling the crowds with both her beauty and brilliant speed. Always on the lead, always running for a stakes record, and always winning - that was RUFFIAN until the tragedy of the match race.
In this historical segment, a collector's item - the Coaching Club American Oaks concludes RUFFIAN's career as we wish it to be remembered - the queen of Thoroughbreds easily winning her Triple Crown. This much awaited tribute to the courageous and spirited filly, RUFFIAN, commemorates her untimely passing - it's a time to remember a magnificent dark bay filly who dominated her sport in the mid 1970's with grace, power and class.
RUFFIAN was perfect: big, powerful, fast, high-spirited and beautiful - she was so good that she went into the much heralded duel with an unblemished record, and as racing people know...it was the first time she lost a race; and tragically, a lot more: her life. Horse racing like any sport is dangerous. RUFFIAN didn't break down because she raced against a colt, but because this is what sometimes happens to athletes even under the best conditions. Despite their great power and amazing gifts, racehorses are still mortal, physical creatures. They are fragile, they hurt, and eventually, they die.
RUFFIAN's career spoke volumes and anyone who calls her the greatest filly of all time has a good argument. I suspect she was keenly aware of her greatness and always lived up to it. Those individuals fortunate enough to have witnessed RUFFIAN's life must have experienced moments that will last a lifetime: moments of joy, moments of awe, and finally....tears.
AS AN ADDED BONUS...a few nice segments looking back on RUFFIAN and her legendary career are included after the main feature such as Bill Knack's reflections of RUFFIAN and the comparison of RUFFIAN to her kindred spirit, BARBARO... in addition to news of the new RUFFIAN MEDICAL CENTER being erected at the sight of RUFFIAN's grave at Belmont Park; a state-of-the-art full-service medical facility inspired by the memory of RUFFIAN.
FOR A DETAILED CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF ALL 11 RACES FEATURED IN THIS TIME CAPSULE, JUST REQUEST A COPY AND A COMPILATION SHEET WILL BE E-MAILED TO YOU ALONG WITH THE 1,2,3 FINISHERS AND ALSO INCLUDING RUFFIAN'S COMPLETE RACE RECORD CHART.
(65 Minutes)
Listing Info: | |
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Listing ID: | 1215 |
Format(s) Available: | DVD And VHS |
Category: | U.S. & Canadian Flat Racing |