Remembering Ruffian: Part 1
With a sound and healthy Sovereignty passing the Preakness, there has been a lot of debate about the growing departure from tradition. So in the name of tradition, I will again turn back the clocks to the Golden Decade of the 1970’s by celebrating the legendary filly Ruffian in three parts. Part 1, in which we relive her meteoric rise to superstardom as a 2-year-old, begins with arguably the most impactful career debut ever, which launched a career unlike anything seen before or since. ~ Steve Haskin
Just an Ordinary Wednesday at Belmont, Until…
By Steve Haskin
May 22, 1974 Ruffian maiden race track program featuring Secretariat on the cover
Wednesday, May 22, 1974 seemed like any mid-week afternoon at Belmont Park. Four days earlier, Little Current had romped by seven lengths in the Preakness and a giant of a gelding named Forego had scored his sixth consecutive stakes victory in the Carter Handicap to emerge as racing’s next budding superstar and a new rooting interest for fans looking for a potential successor to the legendary Secretariat.
At this time the previous year everyone was eagerly awaiting what promised to be another epic confrontation between Secretariat, coming off spectacular victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, and Sham, the gallant runner-up in both races. No one then could imagine what was to come in the Belmont Stakes, just as no one at Belmont on May 22 could imagine what they were about to witness.
The third race on that Wednesday card seemed just like any other 5 ½-furlong maiden event for 2-year-old fillies with no standout, judging by the program odds of 3-1, 4-1, and 5-1 on the three top choices, with the favorite being the Woody Stephens-trained Suzest. What was unique about his year’s Belmont program was that it also served as a souvenir for racing fans, with its stunning head shot on Secretariat on the cover.
I will never forget being at Belmont that day with Jack Zaraya, my Daily Racing Form co-worker, close friend, and fellow driver to the DRF office in Hightstown, New Jersey. Wednesday was our day off and we often spent it at the track, enjoying a nice quiet afternoon and hoping to cash a few tickets.
In that third race I was intrigued by a first-time starter by Reviewer, owned by Stuart Janney’s Locust Hill Farm and trained by the great Frank Whiteley (who trained Jack’s and my favorite horse Damascus). Named Ruffian, she was breaking from post 9 in a field of 10, which was not ideal with such a short run into the far turn. I thought she was an overlay at 4-1 and was prepared to bet her when Jack, whose opinion I respected, talked me into betting a 30-1 shot named Funny Cat, owned by C.V. Whitney. A sucker for a longshot, I changed my mind and bet the Whitney filly.
Ruffian was being ridden by Jacinto Vasquez, one the nation’s top jockeys, who burst on the scene in 1967 with a number of major stakes victories at age 23, but known more recently for his shocking upsets of Secretariat in the 1973 Wood Memorial aboard Angle Light and then a few months later in the Whitney on Onion.
At the start of this seemingly insignificant maiden race, Ruffian exploded out of the gate and quickly was three in front, then five in front. As I bemoaned my stupid decision, Jack uttered the words that I have thrown back at him numerous times over the years. “A half in :45!” he bellowed. “Don’t worry, she’s got to stop.”
I shot right back at him, “Stop? Are you crazy, look at her, she hasn’t even started running yet.” To use the only metaphor I can come up with, as over the top as it may be, she looked like a big black runaway locomotive rolling around that turn, increasing her lead with every stride. I couldn’t believe this was a 2-year-old filly.
She stopped all right, but not before crossing the wire 15 lengths in front in 1:03 flat, equaling the track record. And this was far from a blazing-fast track. You don’t see 2-year-old fillies equaling track records at Belmont Park in their career debut.
Ruffian with jockey Jacinto Vasquez aboard after her maiden race win equaling the track record at Belmont.
But as we were to learn, this was no ordinary filly. She would go on to compete in eight stakes during her career, at seven different distances from 5 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/2 miles, and amazingly set or equaled a stakes record in all of them. In her 10 career victories, including a sweep of the NYRA Filly Triple Crown, her average margin of victory was an astounding 8 1/2 lengths.
But before we recount the continued devastation of her opponents as a 2-year-old, let’s turn the clocks back even further.
Whiteley, in 1973, stabled his horses at the Camden Training Center in Camden, South Carolina, over the winter. When I visited there in June, 2000, the training center had been deserted for almost two months. Whiteley by then had a 176-acre farm about seven miles outside Camden. The stillness and quiet of the Camden barn area was interrupted by the occasional song of a wood thrush. Whiteley drove up a narrow dirt road and pointed out a barn just ahead and slightly off to the left. In front of it, across the road, was an empty patch of grass where another barn stood before burning down in the late 1970s, killing 10 of his horses.
As Whiteley drove past his old barn that still remained, he pointed his finger toward it and said, “Ruffian stood right there in stall 4. That was her stall when she came to me as a yearling in November until we brought her to the track the following April. And it was her stall when she came back here the following winter after her 2-year-old campaign.
“It’s just an empty stall now, but there are memories, that’s for sure,” Whiteley said. That was as nostalgic as he would get, and even that short comment contradicted his usual crustiness.
As we continued to drive through the training center, Whiteley did think back to the morning when he worked Ruffian three furlongs from the gate with another promising, fast filly named Lady Portia. Another of Whiteley’s fillies, named Yankee Law, had just concluded her morning exercise. But instead of leaving through the gap, her rider decided to stand by the outside rail and watch the two brilliant young fillies work.
As they came charging down the stretch together, Yankee Law began backing up toward the inside rail, right in the path of the oncoming pair. Lady Portia collided with Yankee Law, sending both their riders crashing to the ground. Miraculously, no one was seriously hurt, with Lady Portia suffering a mild concussion and a bloody nose.
Ruffian, meanwhile, never batted an eye through the entire incident and continued the final eighth of the work on her own as if nothing had happened. Despite all the turmoil and losing her workmate, she still worked her three furlongs in a blazing :33 flat. Demonstrating that kind of incredible speed and professionalism at such a young age was the first indication that Whiteley had something very special on his hands. She had come within inches of disaster, but instead, she bounded away unscathed and into history.
Whiteley actually had fallen in love with the Reviewer filly the first time he saw her as a yearling at Claiborne Farm, shortly before she was sent to him at Camden as a late yearling in November of 1973. Whiteley knew he was about to unleash a running machine, and he would wait until 9:30 or 10 o’clock before taking Ruffian out to the track for training. He wanted to make sure no one was around except his help. This was one horse he was intent on keeping under wraps until it was time to send her up to New York.
“You knew damn well the word would get out on her,” he said.
After bringing her to New York, Whiteley made sure she did not work a half any faster than :50. And he did little talking about her. He didn’t even put a pair of shoes on her until the morning of her first race. She had breezed with nothing on her feet her whole life.
As Whiteley said, “Hell, she came into the world bare-footed. Even though they pick up five or six lengths with shoes on, they stay sound longer without them.”
After Ruffian blew her opposition away in her career debut, Whiteley felt an allowance race would serve no purpose and put her in the Grade III Fashion Stakes at Belmont Park three weeks later on June 12 against Cragwood Stable’s one-eyed speedster Copernica, who had won both her starts by a total of 19 3/4 lengths. Copernica ran her heart out, but was no match for the speed and power of the 2-5 Ruffian, who won under a hand ride by almost seven lengths, equaling her own track record of 1:03. Copernica showed just how brilliant a filly she was in her own right by finishing 13 lengths ahead of the undefeated Jan Verzal in third.
Ruffian defeats Copernica winning the June 12, 1974 Fashion Stakes with “speed to spare.”
Then on July 10 came the 5 ½-furlong Grade III Astoria Stakes at Aqueduct and another seemingly formidable challenger in the brilliantly fast Laughing Bridge, winner of three of her first four starts. But it was the same story, as Ruffian, sent off at 1-10 with Vince Bracciale subbing for Vasquez, set blazing fractions of :21 4/5 and :44 2/5 before crushing her rival by nine lengths in 1:02 4/5, a fifth of a second off the track record set by the brilliant Raise A Native, with, as the chart footnotes said, “speed to spare.”
Following the race, Braulio Baeza, jockey for Laughing Bridge, told reporters, “I could have cut through the center field, and she still would have beaten me.” And Baeza was a man of few words, even describing his own great horses, such as Dr. Fager and Buckpasser.
Ruffian’s next start, the six-furlong, Grade I Sorority Stakes at Monmouth Park, seemed like a mere formality. But three days after her victory in the Astoria, a new phenom emerged on the scene in the Hollywood Lassie Stakes.
Hot n Nasty, a miniscule daughter of Reflected Glory, had broken her maiden at Monmouth by 13 lengths, and her time of 1:03 3/5 equaled the track record. In her next start, the Schuylkill Stakes at Liberty Bell Racetrack, she galloped home by 12 lengths in a near track record 1:04 3/5 over a dead racetrack.
In a bold move, trainer Gordon Potter shipped her out West for the Hollywood Lassie Stakes, where she would face the fastest filly in California, Miss Tokyo, who had won her three lifetime starts by a total of 21 1/2 lengths. But Hot n Nasty ran her and the rest of her opponents into the ground that day with a :44 4/5 half, while opening a six-length lead at the eighth pole. She went into cruise control the rest of the way, winning eased up by three lengths in a blistering 1:09 flat.
Now, it was time for this mighty mite to take on Whiteley’s black terror in the Sorority Stakes. Something had to give. Hot n Nasty had the advantage of having already run and won at six furlongs. But Whiteley continued to give Ruffian short, fast works. It was quite a sight seeing Ruffian work half-miles in :45 flat and :46 flat without even raising a sweat. Hot n Nasty, on the other hand, drilled a sharp five furlongs in :59 3/5 at Monmouth.
Back then it was common practice to blow a horse out three furlongs the day before a race, and Ruffian zipped her three panels in :34 4/5, while Hot n Nasty went in :35 3/5.
On July 27, only 17 days after the Astoria, a crowd of 26,133 showed up at the Jersey Shore to witness this epic showdown. Only two others, Wee bit of Irish and Stream Across dared to show up. At the start, Ruffian, with Vasquez back aboard, broke a step slowly as Darrell McHargue gunned Hot n Nasty to the lead on the outside. Ruffian gathered herself and quickly was at Hot n Nasty’s throat. It wasn’t until Ruffian opened a one-length lead midway down the backstretch that the crowd realized what a physical mismatch this was.
Instead of two big powerful fillies battling each other for supremacy in their division, it looked more like a yearling trying to keep up with a hulking stallion. But the diminutive Hot n Nasty was keeping up with Ruffian through a torrid quarter in :21 3/5. Nearing the far turn, Vasquez could see that this pesky little filly wasn’t going away, and that one of Ruffian’s biggest weapons – intimidation – wasn’t working.
He urged Ruffian on with quick pumps of his wrists, but Hot n Nasty moved up alongside entering the far turn. When she did it was as if she had vanished into thin air, hidden behind Ruffian’s massive frame.
As they approached the quarter pole, the star-spotted head of Hot n Nasty emerged, and for a second, seemed to inch ahead of Ruffian, who was beginning to bear out slightly, and still on her left lead. The half was run in a brutal :44 1/5. Something had to give.
Vasquez then did something he had never done, nor would he ever do again to Ruffian. He gave her a short crack of the crop over her right shoulder. Ruffian’s head was back in front. Another crack and it was a neck in front, but Hot n Nasty kept battling back. Ruffian, who went through virtually her entire career without having to change leads, switched to her right lead, but still couldn’t pull away. Finally, inside the sixteenth pole, Ruffian began to shake loose. In a few strides, she was clear and home free, and with one final late spurt she crossed the wire 2 1/2 lengths in front in a stakes-record 1:09 flat.
Despite the struggle, Ruffian kept her head high and ears pricked the entire stretch run. The other two fillies were mere specks in the distance. Officially, Stream Across was 22 lengths back in third.
One can look at the Sorority as Ruffian’s least impressive performance, while others can look at it as one of her best performances, because she showed her courage under fire for first time. To boost her performance even further, the following morning Ruffian was “coughing like hell,” as Whiteley put it, and was running a fever. Whiteley recalled that the night before the race Ruffian was pawing at the ground all night and “tore her stall up.” Her cough was so bad and so persistent it looked as if she was not going to make the August 23 Grade I Spinaway Stakes in Saratoga. Vasquez recalled that he believed Ruffian also popped a splint in the Sorority, so this may very well have been her most impressive performance.
Not only did she make the six-furlong Spinaway, she again destroyed Laughing Bridge, who, following her prior loss had romped in the first two stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Saratoga, the Schuylerville by 13 lengths and the Adirondack by five lengths. As she did in the Astoria, Ruffian just toyed with her, winning eased up the length of the stretch by 13 lengths in a scorching 1:08 3/5, shattering the previous stakes record of 1:10. It was the fastest six furlongs ever run by a 2-year-old, colt or filly, at Saratoga. Whiteley considered the Spinaway the greatest performance of Ruffian’s career. No one watching her canter home with her ears straight up and jockey Vince Bracciale, again subbing for Vazquez who was serving a suspension, sitting motionless on her, could believe a horse going that easily was running that fast.
Even Secretariat’s trainer Lucien Laurin was so impressed by Ruffian’s Spinaway performance, he couldn’t contain his reverence for her, saying, “”As God is my judgment, this filly may be better than Secretariat!”
Ruffian shatters the stakes record winning the Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga Race Course by 12 3/4 lengths.
Not only was Vasquez forced to miss the ride on Ruffian, he also was unable to ride his newly acquired mount, the undefeated juvenile sensation Foolish Pleasure, in the following day’s Hopeful Stakes. The son of What a Pleasure easily won the Hopeful under Braulio Baeza for his fifth straight victory and would go on to complete his undefeated season under Vasquez with a 6 1/2-length victory in the Cowdin Stakes and a six-length victory in the Champagne Stakes. Foolish Pleasure would later be named champion 2-Year-Old Colt and considered by everyone the strong favorite for the 1975 Kentucky Derby. But in the autumn of 1974, little could Vasquez have known that these two undefeated champions would cross paths the following year in a most unexpected way.
As opposed to the seven-furlong Matron Stakes at Belmont run only 10 days before the September 26 Frizette Stakes, Whiteley decided to wait for the latter race to see what Ruffian could do stretching out to a mile.
Unfortunately, on the morning of the Frizette, Ruffian was running a high fever and had to be scratched. (It is interesting to note that the Frizette was won wire-to-wire by a hard-knocking filly named Molly Ballantine, who earlier was beaten 13 lengths by Laughing Bridge in the Schuylerville). When Whiteley’s veterinarian James Prendergast took X-rays of her shortly after, he found a hairline fracture of her right hind ankle.
Whiteley believed it may have happened in the closing yards of the Spinaway, but like in the Sorority when she was sick and possibly having a splint bone issue, she showed no signs that anything was wrong because, as Whiteley put it, “She’s a very tough filly and doesn’t like to show any weaknesses.”
Ruffian’s minor fracture ended what was arguably the most brilliant campaign ever by a 2-year-old filly, in which she equaled or broke a record in all five of her starts, while winning them by an average margin of 9 1/4 lengths.
Ruffian, of course, would go on to be voted Champion 2-Year-Old Filly, as racing fans all over America marveled at what they had seen and could only wonder what amazing feats would be in store for them in 1975.
For expanded imagery and photos associated with this post, view the Remembering Ruffian homepage
Select photos available for purchase courtesy of Bob Coglianese Photos
Racing historian, author, and award-winning retired journalist for the Daily Racing Form and The Blood-Horse, Steve Haskin was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame’s Media Roll of Honor in 2016. Known for his racing knowledge and insightful prose, he has been an exclusive contributor to Secretariat.com since 2020.
Please forward this story about Ruffian to: drennen_ arthur@hotmail.com. It is fabulous 😍
We can argue about whose fault it was, regarding the Preakness bumping—I lay it all on Rispoli—but that does not take anything away from the winner, who was incredible! Perhaps on a Thursday …in a claiming race—he gets taken down—no way in The Oreakness, just enjoy the horse…..
Matthew, I couldn’t agree more, Rispoli was the culprit. In France, Japan, Hong Kong Journalism would have been taken down 100%; in England and Ireland 80% Journalism would have been taken down; in Australia 40/60 Journalism would have stayed up or been disqualified. Moreover, Rispoli would be out for weeks if not months. Is anything happening to Rispoli et al.
You just don’t expect such reckless riding, especially when the world is watching. People here couldn’t believe such dangerous tactics by a jockey. The expletives removed.
I am really hoping for a happy, healthy and in peak condition Journalism in the Belmont and for him to settle a score. Was happy to see Derby horses for the 1 and 3 in the Preakness.
Agree Big Tex.
Also it’s why Goal Oriented was not dq’d–because he turned left because he was bumped in his left rear—you take him down then you gotta problem, they got the exciting race they wanted, and then some….-
David, I couldn’t reply below…
I just heard an interview with Saffie – she said that Heart finds the AW to be slow, and when he’s on dirt, he’s a completely different horse..
Not much to be done about Saratoga. I think a bigger deal is what Saffie said, that American horses are much sharper out of the gate than European horses….and this horse isn’t good at all. So, they’ve got 3 weeks to work on his gate habits.
Thanks Betsy, I was always wondering why they weren’t trying Woodbine. Yes, European races are so different with regards to the start, it’s a calmer release even at sprints in Europe.
To be brutally frank, I wish US racing was more like European races, than they are more like Quarter Horse racing. Unfortunately, that can’t really change because the tracks, apart from Belmont, are so small with sharp turns in comparison to European and Australian racecourses.
European and Australian races are twice as thrilling because the speed is coming at the end of a race while in US racing they rocket out the gate then stagger home at the end unless you are Flightline. Best horse I’ve ever seen.
Also, what’s lost in shuffle- Brendan’s horse ran well Saturday and finished a strong second. Congrats!
Steve, I’m so happy that you have revisited Ruffian’s greatness and that she is not forgotten. I hope Belmont does not remove her grave from its site in the infield.
I hope you are well.
Best,
Stellar Jane
Hi Stellar Jane … Ruffian remains were reburied at Claiborne’s Marchmont Cementery on Auugust 24, 2023 after being interred 70 yards beyond Belmont Park finish line for 47 years.
There is an equine medical center with her name at Belmont since May 26, 2009…
Anyway, I wonder if Ruffian will be celebrated at the new Belmont Park … a $455 renovation project should still have a place to honor the best filly of all time… Ruffian deserves that and much more!
It TOTALLY will not surprise me if journalism (who should have been taken down) never wins another race. That was lame,evil,foul of two other horses that was only way he won. His time was PATHETIC. He’s NOTHING….always will be FRAUD
Bonnie, obviously you’re a miserable individual.
Give me a BREAK….couldn’t hold the jock strap. Lucky if he wins again!
“He’s nothing”. You’re nuts!
Agree Mike: Bonnie posts are nuts! Journalism is on a path for HOY.
Thanks Jeff! BTW, great you hit yesterday. Glad for you!
Good comment, Mike. What i saw was Prat trying to control three paths of racetrack with one horse.
Todd, have great respect for many of your comments.
Yes Todd … On top of that Jose Ortiz carried Clever Again to skim the rail when he saw Journalism trying to slip through that gap on the last turn.. there was room for Rispoli and Journalism but Jose Ortiz shot that path… Journalism would have won by at least 3 lengths if Ortiz had let Journalism pass by the rail.
Then in the overhead view one can clearly see that Flavien Prat shifts Goal Oriented a bit to the outside “inviting” Journalism to attempt a pass between him and Clever Again … but it was a trap as you clearly see Prat hitting Umberto Rispoli with his left elbow coming to the stretch.
It was two against one … it is expected for jockeys to try boxing a favorite or make it hard for him to win. Umberto Rispoli did the rigth thing to repeal Flavian Prat’s attack and win with the best horse. Goal Oriented and Clever Again had no chance to win but their jockeys were targetting the favorite and playing hard against him.
I see this situation similar to what Brian Hernandez Jr. did in the Derby with Mystik Dan sneaking by the rail after pushing Track Phantom out of the way… Jockeys have only split second to decide how to win a race.
You nailed it Nelson.
Jose Ortiz did nothing wrong in closing that path, but you make it sound like it was an illegal move.
It’s as if Journalism was winding his coil spring while trapped and when he saw daylight, it was POW! like a monstrous jack in the box let loose! All so fast I didn’t have time to get the TV off as I really feared a very bad entanglement of twelve legs there for a second.
Whew!
Me too, Gloria! I was so afraid horses would go down that in the moment, I couldn’t fully take in Journalism’s accomplishment. Everything happened so fast. I’ve watched the replay many times since and am more and more astounded by what he did.
You missed the beauty of one of horse racing’s greatest races 🙏🐎
Agree Nick.
Settle Down Counter Point (excuse me – Bonnie)
My critique of Larry Collmus’s is his “pre-fab” race calling…he says “Sandman ENTERS…*…I think that’s a tale on the rock group Metallica”….but from there to the end…Larry forgets his rehearsed call and describes what he sees, and it was his greatest work….
I thought he had a great call of the race, too. His energy and enthusiasm are terrific. Also, he pointed out that several horses got restless in the gate; the other caller I listened to didn’t mention that. And he emphasized that Rispoli was nudging Journalism along roughly midway through the race, which was when I first thought, “There’s no way Journalism’s going to make it today.” I sure was delighted to be proven wrong.
According to Mark Casse, Sandman will run in the Jim Dandy rather than the Belmont.
Thank you for sharing that info.
Sovereignty is also being targeted for the Jim Dandy last I heard.
So very happy that Sandman took 3rd in the Preakness.
He has a lot of fans.
Horses like Sandman, Coal Battle are good for the sport, they draw in new fans.
Hi Lynda
Just out of curiosity, where did you read that Sovereignty will target the Jim Dandy and not the Belmont Stakes?
Thanks, Lynda.
Edit.
Please ignore Lynda, I was thinking the Jim Dandy was in late June.
It’s in July. My bad.
Hi Bill,
Sovereignty is targeting both the Belmont and the Jim Dandy (per interview with Mr Mott after the KD).
Like you I too thought that was quick until I checked the dates.
Good comment, Lynda. Sandman and Coal Battle are what grows this sport just think of how many young followers of Sandman’s minor owner(influencer) made a bet and actually made money with Sandman.
Even better, with Sandman having the potential of becoming a successful sire the fan base could grow exponentially with his progeny. West Point Thoroughbreds have always been forward thinking in trying to help grow the racing fan base in the US.
Don’t forget this Saturday and Sunday the Group 1 Classics, Irish 2,000 & 1,000 Guineas will be run at the Curragh.
Thank you Davids.
If I were to ever consider buying into a race horse it would be with West Point for the very reason you mentioned.
The young man, sorry forgot his name, has singlehandedly done so much for the sport in just a few months.
So willing to learn everything about the sport and the horses. He hangs out at Ocala and volunteers to clean stalls, be a hot walker, assist in giving baths and rub downs.
Said he owns 2.5% of Sandman which he said amounts to one hoof. He is having fun which is what it should be I think.
Will watch for the races.
Caught a little of the Royal Horseshow. My favorite just the 4 in hand obstacle course. I think that is the event the late Prince Philip participated in.
That’s correct Lynda, Prince Phillip competed in the 2 and 4 hand carriage races. I admired his skill apparently he was a demon haring through the countryside at high speed. He seemed to especially enjoy charging through little streams. Ha ha
Might be adding blinkers.
Johnny V said Sandman lost focus before the wire.
Yes, Lynda, Sandman is still extremely immature even with all the experience he has had and winning close to 1.5 million in prize money. Will he race at 4 is debatable but let’s hope so. US horse racing needs Sandman a lot more than Sandman needs horse racing.
arlingtonfan, Sandman seems to lose focus once he’s separated from the pack. Blinkers might help but it’s just plain simple maturity is what he needs.
Mind you, with already having won more prize money than what he cost – 1.2 million – his future at stud is already sealed.
Yes, I think I read something about the team possibly adding blinkers for his next start, as Lynda mentioned above. I like your comment “US horse racing needs Sandman a lot more than Sandman needs horse racing.” True! It’s been great seeing the interest he’s generated.
I played several twelve-dollar Super Hi-5 wagers, keying two horses in the first two slots, with three underneath in the third, fourth and fifth slots.
I came really close to hitting one of those by keying, 2,9/2,9/ 1,7,8/1,7,8/1,78.
I had the first four finishers, but when Clever Again got slammed against the fence, I lost my chance of hitting that referenced Hi-5 wager.
Needless to say, this year’s Preakness was one rough horse race. In the end, the best horse won the race. The Belmont will present an interesting rematch between Journalism, Sovereignty and Baeza. The big question, which connections will have the courage to run against those three?
The first and last thing that Mike McCarthy should have told Umberto Rispoli in pre-race instructions is that he would be sitting on a horse that is 8 to 10 lengths better than any other horse in the race. All you have to do is not get stopped. Make your way to the outside and stay out of trouble. Do that and you will win in a romp.
That being said, I admire Journalism for hanging in there when things got tight. Real tight. Dangerously tight. And I admire both horse and rider for regrouping and keeping to their task to rundown the runaway Gosger. Nice job.
Sandman had all the momentum when Journalism was practically stopped, but not only couldn’t hold off Journalism, he couldn’t even catch Gosger. Sandman seemed to “hang”. Typical Sandman and the reason that I’m not a fan of the horse. No offense. Mark Casse should keep the Sandman at Oaklawn with his “friends”.
There were some real headscratchers that won the early turf races at Pimlico yesterday. And very short priced favorites that won. A hard day to come out ahead.
I was down quite a bit going into the Preakness. I put $100 to win on Journalism at 6-5 and a $10 exacta with Gosger while he was still 19-1. Just before the gates opened, Journalism clicked down to even-money and Gosger to 14-1. Finished at 15-1. But that wouldn’t have been enough to save the day.
I had “singled” Journalism in a pick-6. Making it a pick-5 IMO. I put in a $54 ticket. The 20-cent pick-6 paid over $2,200. Not bad. Not the huge score that I had on Derby Day, but a decent win.
I can only remember winning on all three Triple Crown Days once. In 2015 when American Pharoah swept all three races. It helps when you have a “single” that you just know is going to win.
I look forward to Belmont Day at Saratoga. I have a good feel for this group of 3-year-olds. I’m pretty sure that one of the big-3 will win. But which one? I keep saying that there doesn’t seem to be that much between Sovereignty, Baeza, and Journalism. I’ll probably have to go with Sovereignty again after he keyed the biggest win of my almost 50 years of playing the horses. But Baeza is improving by leaps and bounds. And Journalism saved the day for me yesterday anchoring that pick-6. If I can make it work, I’ll use all three in multi-race wagers. But I only put in modest $48 to $54 multi-race wagers. I might have to key just one.
Great handicapping TommyMcD.
I hope you hit it big in the Belmont.
Well said…my fear of Rispoli has always been his propensity to ride dirt races like turf races…on turf he’s easily top ten in USA—on dirt he’s not—I have no reason why—but on dirt you can go wide and win, while on turf you need an inside trip, before getting out—on dirt you can go wide both turns…he HAD the outside, and he had best horse….and I, like you—admire that horse! He has heart–SETTLE him early….and get the jump, on the Derby wi ner—what a day is coming up!
Nice video on the BH site of Journalism walking the shedrow this morning with exercise rider Marc Witkowski, who reported that “He ate everything” (last night, I presume). Journalism looked positively regal.
Per Aaron Wellman….just now—“Horse came away unscathed…embark by van to Saratoga tomorrow…”…..
Love the move forward sportsmanship mentality….
Prat…didn’t cause that—horses were ducking in all day—I think the crowd caused the ducking in SOMEQHAT—but if a rider to be blamed—it’s Rispoli…..tthere was no seam, he sent his mou t thru a bumping scene—Prat is yanking his horse to the right, but the bumping was all Rispoli—he HAD the outside, he had horse—the git rides dirt like it’s turf—I saw the outside open for him and he stayed down—and it might have been tragic—all credit to the horse….
When horses get bumped on the flank they turn in that direction..
That…was Colmus’s greatest call….
You are so right.. if he felt he didnt have the horse to go wide, he surely didnt have the horse to run thru what was, at decision time, no hole at all
Mike Willman suggested the bumping woke him up…..I guess he got all bothered pre-race—when they couldn’t remove the halter…
It was strides past the little bump on the flank when Prat ducked in two paths to try to close the hole. 10 times worse than what Luis Saez did on Maximum Security.
That wasn’t a little bump, Prat was in the 2 path and Rispoli pushed his way in and pushed Prat out a lane, he had every right to push back to maintain his 2 path and had to steady his horse to prevent him from falling. Rispoli caused ALL the trouble. Journalism took very little adversity from all this, while bumping Prat’s horse on his side and turning him, then knocking Clever Again into the rail.
And, War of Will ran up on Maximum Security, causing the mayhem, so we disagree there too. I agree yesterday was worse. The jockeys in both cases, Rispoli and Gafflione, lost control of their horses, in some way, no they didn’t drop the reins but they couldn’t control the animal spirits of their horses adequately. Prat isn’t one of the better dirt riders in my opinion, but he averted a disaster by keeping his horse on his feet.
For a moment feared GA would fall.
War of Will was a VICTIM!
Max caused the whole thing…check the repl ay
Now you’re reaching… this was nothing compared to max cec….please..stop it!
*sec
Hi Matthew. I re-ran the last part of the race several times, including freezing the frame at times (similar to what the stewards would have done although they have more camera angles to work with) and came to similar conclusions to yours. (FYI I was cheering for Sandman so was ‘neutral’ here.) The hole Rispoli was intent on taking Journalism through was not big enough, in fact there was no hole to speak of. However, he sent the horse anyway rather than going. Fortunately this didn’t end tragically although it easily could have. Goal Oriented and Prat initially tried to maintain their path as they were entitled to do (they were not obligated to move over to make a hole for Rispoli), hence the bumping etc. The crowd noise may well have made Goal Oriented reluctant to move toward that noise. In addition, Goal Oriented may not have liked another horse pushing beside him at such close quarters and so reacted to that. (A mare my father trained was so competitive that she once tried to ‘savage’ a horse who passed her at close quarters in the stretch.) While neither Prat nor Rispoli is blameless here, the episode was instigated by Rispoli. But as both Goal Oriented and Clever Again were slowing by this point in the race and would not have finished ahead of Journalism in any event, the decision would be to let the finish stand. (FYI My father was a racing official after his training career, and shared some insights into how stewards assess these situations.)
Take care
Dawn
Good comment, Dawn. I was surprised Journalism was taken down as well, everywhere else in the racing world the horse would have been taken down.
How long will it be before this ‘hillbilly’ riding causes a fatality. Nip it in the bud now.
War of Will was a VICTIM!
Max caused the whole thing…check the repl ay
Thank you Davids. (FYI I should have said ‘going around’ – memo to self, proofread!). Even if the stewards felt that as the episode didn’t change the order of finish, the horse should not be disqualified, I agree that they need to deal seriously with reckless riding before there is a fatality and the sooner, the better.
Dawn, I’m just as guilty. Ha ha Over the years, I’ve come to admire the French stewards more and more. If a jockey causes any infraction there will be penalties. Subsequently, French jockeys know the score and so do the punters.
If a French jockey were to cause a horse to be taken down in a major race the penalty, apart from what the stewards determine, is that the trainer/owner will replace the jockey no matter how starry their name might be. Clean racing is beautiful racing.
So much for the east coast coast bias you can run back in 2 weeks. LEAVE THE 3 CROWN ALONE ROGER
Per Steve A on X, Clever Again is on his way back to CHD.
He did make contact with the fence, took awhile to settle down after the race. Ate up last night. Walking OK this morning. Has superficial cuts on front and both backs.
I was so worried about him. He got slammed into the fence pretty hard.
Thanks Lynda! Although not respecting the trainer, wishing Clever Again the best.
David, check out Jamie & Saffie’s quotes below.
Also, one guy on Twitter mentioned that he’d liked HoH, but that an ex-trainer friend of his who saw Heart train this week said that he didn’t think the colt would like Pimlico surface due to his having big, flat feet
Betsy, one more update on Heart.
He looked fine this morning, Saffie was out walking him.
Lynda, I saw that -thanks! Traveling to Saratoga will seem like a breeze compared to what he’s just been through, lol
Betsy, after Man City lost the F. A. Cup I felt the die was cast for the rest of the day/morning here. C’est la vie.
It’s a shame the Belmont Stakes isn’t at Belmont Park this year the extra distance would certainly help Heart of Honor. As for the Preakness Stakes, Heart of Honor beat a lot of horses that many thought had a chance of winning. Plus he won prize money which a lot of favorites didn’t.
Don’t forget, it’s the Irish 2,000 Guineas at 3:40 pm your time this Saturday at the Curragh, the Irish 1,000 Guineas is on Sunday May 25 at the Curragh also at 3:40 pm.
Hah, lol
I would have been happy with a good performance, but I didn’t say it because every time I do say it, my horse runs badly!
He ran fine – but I’m really torn. I’m just not a fan of horses who drop back as far as he does. At one point he was 8 lengths back, then dropped back to 15 lengths back…he’s never going to win races like that. I hope the observation that he wasn’t likely to handle the track turned out to be true…
I do wish the Belmont was 12 F this year, but I’m not sure it would make a difference – that race doesn’t favor deep closers
Jamie sounds frustrated that H’s gate issues continue; they’re going to have ti work with him intensely
The Belmont is coming up incredibly tough – I’m not sure he can keep up with those horses
Betsy, Saratoga is inevitably a speed favoring track so that’s a negative but apart from Sovereignty I don’t think the rest of the field are 10f horses so that’s a positive for Heart of Honor.
If Heart of Honor has big flat feet, I wonder why they haven’t tried the turf.
Even Journalism?
Well they bought him to be a dirt horse….Jamie said his work at the Arquanna sales was ok, but it must have been more than that because he sold for a good price
I imagine they did work him on the grass – and he must have hated it, because Jamie has said several times that Heart is strictly a dirt horse, that he’ll never run in grass
Did you think that Heart had trouble with the track?
Betsy, Jamie Osborne never mentioned trying Woodbine’S AWT either so, although he supposedly has those big flat feet, he is strictly a dirt horse.
I just watched the Preakness again, Heart of Honor never looked comfortable but there could be a myriad of reasons why. Sandman looked twice as good as he did on the initial viewing.
Watch the race again.
David, why would Woodbine have anything to do with Heart of Honor?
Nah, I don’t need to watch the race again – I believe you when you say he never looked comfortable. Well, who knows if it’s because of his feet or not? The horse is obviously quirky and tough to handle….
Betsy, Heart of Honor ran well at Southwell, which has an AW surface, in his first race so he could try Woodbine which is AW.
I just think Heart of Honor was thrown in the deep end with little preparation. He could improve dramatically in his next race but Saratoga is inevitably a speed favoring track and it’s only 10f, which are negatives to overcome.
Oh, and thanks for the reminder about the Guineas!
Betsy, are you doing anything on June 1? That’s when they’re running the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly. It truly is an experience being at Chantilly, you would love all the history. Definitely watch the race even if you can’t make it.
PS: it’s the French Derby. Ha ha
I know, lol
I don’t think so – if the race is on tv, I’ll try to catch it
Before I decided to spend a few days in Bayeux, I was planning on visiting Chateau de Chantilly – and hopefully the racetrack. Now, I just won’t have the time …
Oh, bad luck, such a pity, Betsy. That’s the trouble, too much to see. Even though I lived in Europe there is still so much I want to see.
Make a list for next time.
Not bad luck, though – I chose Bayeux over Chantilly & other chateaux.
If I ever get back to Paris, Chantilly will absolutely be on my list
I can see Longchamps while in Paris, so ….
So glad to have hit the $1 P5 ending with the Preakness. So proud of Journalism. After getting squeezed at the top of the stretch , he pulled clear and ran down Gosger at the wire. Journalism is a helluva good racehorse. All heart ♥️. Kudos to his connections and his jockey and trainer. And most of all congratulations to Journalism!
Big time horse!
Bank on it! Lukas will push on with AP for Belmont.
(“He’s doing so well…”)..
Yes, lol.
Gary, you stated I had a “mental block” when recently posting wasn’t concerned regarding the horse that finished fourth today. Tell me, how did I do? Picked the winner. Lol
I had Gosger in a $20 win future, am disappointed he lost like this. He’d never run that close to the pace, Irad O. had this mount when he won the Lexington, kept him in stalking range in that race and he finished strong.
That bumping was started and sustained by Rispoli trying to bull his way through a narrow gap, was not Prat’s fault. Journalism also bumped Clever Again and stopped his run. Prat had to do all that to avoid going down.
Shades of Afleet Alex! The way the race was playing out, I thought there was no way Journalism was going to win, even before the incident. What heart! His last 50 yards or so called to mind Trevor Denman’s famous call of Zenyatta’s 2009 BC Classic: “This–is–un–be–lievable!”
He’s something special.
Trainer McCarthy interview after the race when discussing the Altadena fire in January was special. He broke down emotionally. Love the guts of the horse and yes Mike he is special. So glad the connections had the sportsmanship to run so we all could witness a helluva race. Hit the pick 5, exacta as well made a good day
Glad you hit Jeff.
David, I read that Heart had a bad break? Or was it just his usual slow start?
I dozed off, but even if I hadn’t, I couldn’t have watched it live – I just saw the stretch run. Heart was well beaten. Horse always tries, but I suspect that he’s not going to the Belmont
Betsy, I did not see that Heart of Honor broke badly, just slow. He was at the back with Sandman.
Not sure he would have been able to get through all that bumping to get a run in.
I think he finished 5th.
You can watch replay on You Tube.
Lynda, thanks! I just saw the race – it was his typical slow start…which has cost him 3 SW in Dubai.
My HAP friends think he should go to the Belmont, but I disagree. He’s a talented, hard trying colt, but except for his maiden win, lacks speed. After Sandman passed him, he just kind of plodded along
I say give him a long break to let him mature …and do what they’d intended to do, try and get him to be a Dubai WC kind of horse
You are welcome.
Time off to grow might just be the a answer.
Based on Jamie’s quote, he may indeed go for the Belmont. He spoke about how Heart was sluggish at the gate again, got sand in his face, how it looked like a disaster…but
“God, he’s tough, he’s resolute….he stayed on great to the line, he passed all but four. Shame the Belmont is not a mile and a half”
Saffie said he misbehaved in the gate, which caused him to break slow. She’s confident that once they can fix these gate issues, they’ve “still got a very smart colt” on their hands
Betsy, he did act up being tacked up.
His trainer mentioned that when he was interviewed.
Something happened with Journalism’s halter that set hom off.
So happy for Sandman. He was last, made up all that ground once he got going, passed horses on the outside and almost had second until Journalism blew by him like a rocket.
If the Belmont was running this year he would have a good chance to win I think.
Heart had a lot to overcome – he acquitted himself pretty well, in that he kept trying – which is his MO. He’s a tough son of a gun. He’s also his own worst enemy. If he does point for the Belmont, he’s got some time to acclimate …that will help him
I noticed Sandman because I was following Heart….he did run well!
So impressed with Journalism . So courageous, so professional he is a winner!!!
He did not even look tired after the race. I just hope he comes out of the race unscathed.
Flavien should be suspended !!! That was dirty all the way !!! I lost some respect for him after that.
Jose Ortiz closed the gap by the rail after seeing Rispoli trying to slip though … then Flavien Prat in a very brutish move tried to shot Journalism by brute force… Goal Oriented is big but Journalism’s heart is way bigger … The son of Curlin is a noble Thoroughbred indeed… a real fighter !
Prat was targeting Journalism from the start looking to knock him in any possible way… Let’s see how the stewards punish such a dangerous behaviour…
Agree. Prat nearly destroyed horse racing on national TV. Classless move.
Have watched replay 3 times and looked at a couple dozen still photos.
Very surprised at Prat.
From my viewpoint it was deliberate!
Yes Lynda… It was a very deliberate strike by Flavien Prat… I just hope that Journalism is OK … great horses overcome racing adversity but sometimes they do it at the expense of their own well-being…
I disagree, Rispoli on Journalism pushed his way through, watch the video. He caused a chain reaction and stopped Clever Again, even affected outside horses. Prat had to do all that to keep the horse on his feet.
Rispoli pushed his way through because Journalism horse was already halfway there about to dash forward when Prat decided to close the gap for them… but it was already late to stop the rush of Journalism.
The stewards did not disqualify Journalism so it is clear to me that Prat was delibertate and malintent in his attempt to stop the favorite… of course, Prat will say that Goal Oriented was “spooked” but I am not buying it…
Halfway where? There was no lane for him, Prat was in lane 2, not lane 3, when Rispoli started out. Prat moved a little to his left, not much, and Rispoli continued to dive through the gap between them and bump and then push Prat’s horse to the right into lane 3. And Rispoli kept going, he persisted in pushing through, for which people are high fiving Journalism for having “heart” and bravery, when it was aggression combined with a jockey unable to control his mount, and not wanting to.
And you say … in his attempt to stop the favorite… as if that’s worse than trying to stop another runner? Life is cheap if you’re not the favorite, I guess.
Prat probably didn’t object because by NA rules, unless it costs the horse a placing, there’s no DQ. He said it may have cost him a placing, later, but he said it to the reporters, not the stewards.
The overhead view is not the best view of what happened, the side view is.
Nelson, there was a video early this morning (Sunday) of Journalism being walked in the sheds.
He looked fine but sleepy and tired. Very much like Sovereignty was after the Derby.
Both the Derby and the Preakness were hard races on the entries. The mud in the Derby and all that bumping and banging around in the Preakness.
I am guessing several are sore this morning.
One gutsy horse and one gutsy jockey.
Congratulations Journalism.
Happy for Sandman taking third.
Amen to all you said, Lynda. Talk about sending out Pimlico’s current incarnation on a dramatic note!
af, it was that!
Trying to recall the last time a horse squeezed through such a tiny hole.
It will be a Preakness that will talked about for years.
It was Mystik Dan just last year…
So glad Journalism made it through and WON. Much as I love Ruffian, I would really like to see a Steve Haskin recap on the Preakness.
Great win by Journalism; I am really looking forward to Belmont. Should be awesome field…
Flavian should get 30 days for that one. Really glad Journalism won, but Luis Saez is jinxed.
Prat is yanking him to the right for two strides—I think the crowd caused that—rewatch it–
That was not the only horse turning left at head of stretch
Just did. My opinion hasn’t changed. Prat should have ridden his own horse. Surprised he wasn’t dqed for nearly destroying clever again.
Rispoli caused it, not Prat, he and Clever Again were in their established lanes and Rispoli decided to push his way through on Journalism, and he continued pushing.
When a horse gets bumped in his left flank they turn left–cannot be helped
S.O.S.
That’s a racehorse!
I boxed 1,2,6—I didn’t like Journalism tail swishing!…Hope he wins…
Journalism for win!!!
Have placed a Win bet of $20 on the Rodney Dangerfield of this race…… American Promise. Have also key’d him #1 with “all” in an exacta bet.
My ship sails or sinks with his race. Hope he has better racing luck than last race.
Good luck to all !!!
I like my chances to hit the late PK 4 and PK 5 on the Preakness card today.
PK 4:
10th, 1-6
11th, 6,7,8
12th, ALL
13th, 2,8
PK 5:
9th, ALL
10th, 1,6
11th, 6,7,8
12th, 4,10,13
13th, 2,8
I’m alive in all legs of the PK 4 and PK 5.
Since the favorites have won in the first legs, I doubt if the payout will be that much.
However, if a bomber wins the 12th race, the PK 4 payout should be substantial.
Safe trips to all.
Edit:
With Fort Washington winning the 12th race, I’m still alive in all legs of my PK 4 and PK 5 wagers. If Journalism or Clever Again should win the Preakness, I cash both wagers.
Now watch Goal Oriented go wire to wire to knock me out.
Good luck, Bill!
Thanks, Ms Blacktype.
In addition to my PK 4 and PK 5 wagers, I’ve got a slug of Exactas, Tri’s, Supers and Super Hi-5’s, in the Preakness. Too numerous to mention.
Good luck to you as well.
BILL…. You are on FIRE!!!!
Not exactly, Downthestretchpp
Even though I hit my PK 4 and Pk 5 wagers, I actually broke about even for the day.
I invested too much in my exotic wagers. Oh well, it’s on to the Bemont.
Thanks for the input.
Sunny day at Pimlico, Journalism should shine like the sun 🌞. I’m singling Journalism in my P5 and he’s my Key in the Preakness SF. Pick5: 2,4,5,6,9/1,6,9/7/8,10,13/2. $4 SF for Preakness: 2/8/1,6,9/1,6,9. Safe trips for all. Go Journalism!
Can’t wait for Belmont and rematch with Sovereignty…
Hi Biggy. So happy that I hit a $1P5 today ending in the Preakness. Journalism is all heart ❤️ and guts. Hopefully he recovers after that tough race and can target the Belmont.
Congratulations on nice hit, Joe! Journalism definitely can handle adversity!!
Safe racing and good luck everyone.
Would like to see Sandman win. Just the prettiest boy and kindest face.
Hope everyone in the path of the deadly tornadoes in Missouri and western Kentucky are safe and western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina as well.
Fatalities up to 21. Tornado Alley seems to have shifted east.
Happy Preakness morning, everyone! Wishing safe trips to all.
It very well may be a front running track but I don’t see SANDMAN running bad twice in a row wet or fast.
Superstar jockey James McDonald, (J-Mac), wins the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 on Sunshine in Paris. J-Mac is closing in on Malcom Johnston’s 16 Group 1 race wins set in the 1979 – 1980 season. McDonald is only 2 Group 1 wins away now of equalling the record.
Davids, thanks for the first word on that! You beat all the U.S. racing press (at least the ones that I frequent).
Just hearing or reading her name is like re-opening a wound. I always feel a mixture of awe, elation and deep sadness all at once. Until Rachel Alexandra came along, she was first in my heart. Now I would say they’re co-equal. Both of them transcendent, beautiful, swift and noble, the best of their breed. We’re all the better for having had them in our lives, even if only for a few short years. Thanks, Steve, for opening the book and telling us her story again. I look forward to part 2.
Rebel’s Romance all out to hold off a game Epic Poet at 1 & 3/4 today. Cool horse.
Yes Katy, fabulous win by Rebel’s Romance in the Yorkshire Cup at York. When they were going so slow early it was going to be a wild sprint and the champ defied them, again.
Kyprios won his third Group 3 Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes, outstanding, but there was a slight injury race after the race. Wait and see.
Keep your eye out for the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury tomorrow, an absolute cracking race. Mile races are the crème de la crème of racing.
That was incredible when all 5 spread out for the cavalry charge home. What a beautiful course, with that long stretch run. Small field, but all looked like quality horses – I don’t think more than 2 lengths separated 1st and 5th.
I really hope Kyprios is OK! You know how I feel about that horse.
I’ll have to catch the Lockinge. Got the Newbury webpage pulled up in a tab to remind me.
Aidan O’Brien seemed quite confident Kyprios would be ok. York certainly is a beautiful track.
Good luck, Katy.
Kyprios is fine. They think he clipped his pastern making a sharp turn in winner’s circle.
Scans, x-rays all clean.
Posted by Coolmore on X.
Horses 🤦♀️
Constitution Hill has been withdrawn from Ascot next month and being given the summer off.
One can only hope that the ownership sees the light and retires him.
Per post on Racing Post on X.
Thank you for this story of Ruffian’s early career, Steve. May she never be forgotten.
Why do you think the pre-race blow-outs fell out of favor?
I would love to know where some of her competitors ended up. Looking at allbreedpedigree, it seemed that Hot N Nasty had two foals, but also died fairly young.
David, Margie’s Intention won the Black Eyed Susan! Man, HAP needed that!
This was her first start under Cox, since Win Star bought into her. She’s such a nice filly – has never run a bad race
Funny thing is, so I’m in the UK, but I kept checking to see when the race was going off. I dozed off, and when I woke, I saw that there was 3 minutes to post; I was like, why hasn’t the race been run yet?! It looks kind a huge band of thunderstorms ran through Pimlico, & they delayed the race. The fillies had to deal with a sloppy travel
As Brad said, she doesn’t know she’s an LA-bred!
Yes, Betsy, I’ve been following Margie’s Intention and had a good feeling she would take the Black-Eyed Susan which she did. I love omens – Man City to win the F. A. Cup tonight against Crystal Palace.
A.P. Kid was scratched at Belmont today which was disappointing I thought that was another good win for Honor A. P. as well. He looks a stakes horse in the future.
There is a cracker of a race at Newbury today, the Group 1 mile Lockinge Stakes, you should try and watch if you can. I’m going for the filly Tamfana to win and beat the boys.
Where are you now? Still in Wales?
I’m so glad she did – HAP needed that! I hope it’s a good omen for the Knicks, lol !
They only scratched APK after the race came off the turf – grr. It’s so frustrating – he’s been ready to run for weeks, especially after working well with Mindframe, but he’s had such bad luck, between being 3rd AE in the American Stakes, & now this. Too bad they chose the AQU race instead of the James Murphy at PIM
I definitely think he’s a stakes horse !
I just kind of hung out today, do I did catch some racing at York. I’ll definitely try to catch the Lockinge!
Nope, back in Skipton for a few days. Wales was stunning! I actually found a piece of slate, washed it, and will take it home to make a necklace of it!
The cold weather has finally set in here we have the 6f Group 1 Doomben 10,000 at Doomben in Brisbane, Queensland, as the featured race in Australia today. The race is now worth AUD$1.5 Million.
I first saw this race in 1969 when a gorgeous grey horse won named Black Onyx. Black Onyx won it again in 1970. After bleeding twice however, he was sent to the US to race. He was successful in the US but was euthanised after breaking down. You never get over tragic news in racing.
David, the weather here has been spectacular – so dry, in fact, that lake levels are dropping (which I’m sad about)
Glad to see that it’s much cooler for you!
Oh no, how sad …no, you never do 🙁
Betsy, we finally received some rain today, I was still watering only yesterday.
Betsy, know you aren’t dissing Brendan. Just stating in general he always does what’s best, unlike many whom I won’t mention.
Margie’s Intention, by Honor A.P., won the Black-Eyed Susan. Is it an omen for the Preakness tomorrow? Honor A.P.’s son Heart of Honor is a ML 12 to 1 shot.
Margie was my pick–worth the wait! Yes, let’s see what happens with Heart of Honor tomorrow!
If he runs well, I’ll be thrilled. I think he will if it’s a fast track – I have no idea how he’ll handle slop as he hasn’t had to deal with that
If he does run well, he’ll run in the Belmont..!
Isn’t he a gorgeous colt?
Heart is an absolutely stunning colt!
The win by Margie’s Intention is great for Honor AP. It always seems like Brad Cox is a good trainer for fillies and mares. They seem to thrive in his barn, when maybe they didn’t elsewhere.
Except Margie had run well in all her races under Brendan Walsh…
Yes, she definitely did. I like Brendan a lot, too. Just thought of a couple of others who have come into their own in the Cox barn.
Got it! He’s a fantastic trainer – Margie is in great hands!
Based on post race quotes, it looks like she’ll get her chance at a G1 later on – I’m fine with that. She’ll be better then than she is now…
She’s such a pretty filly…
Brendan always does right by the horse.
I wasn’t dissing Brendan – I was very happy when I learned she’d been sent to him after being bought at sale. He did a wonderful job with her, and I’m sure would have continued to had she not been sold in-part to Win Star
He is! I’m posting a photo of him on my mirror tomorrow.
One of the most beautiful 3YOs this year.
He really is – I love his little heart, but also, he’s so dark and elegant …. I fell in love with his looks like I fell in love with HAP’s.
Fingers crossed, Ms Blacktype, certainly a good omen.
Black-Eyed Susan delayed due to weather.
Steve,, great opening to the amazing story of Ruffian. .Anyone watching her run just could not escape the truth of what she was.. a coal black Amazon freak.. I remember watching her with a few friends at a card game, and while we stopped to watch, through the stretch, there was no sound in the room.. there just was no comment or expression that properly fit the performance. I’ll let you tell the rest in your elegant prose.. just wanted to say how this story took away the years from me and placed my heart back in my throat like it was those almost- 50 years ago!
Thanks so much Marc. I appreciate you sharing your memories and for the beautiful words
If….I had a Derby Winner…and he was not doing qell—maybe not cleaning up his aftwr-race feed—I would announce they were skipping the Preakness, and also announce “he’s like a TIGER” he’s so fresh!…..Horse had TWO PREPS—they saved horse for (presumeably) The Triple Crown…..Ask yourself—have you EVER heard a trainer say 8″He’s not doing well, he didn’t clean up his feed”…..Horse is doing SO WELL they’re skipping the Triple Crown!..
Agree Matt, no excuses for Sovreignity to be skipping the Preakness. Kudos to Journalism for running. Would love to see Journalism take care of business in the Preakness, then turn the tables on Sovereignty in the Belmont.
Seems like the set up huh …
Matthew, McPeek did a hatchet job on Mystic Dan last year by racing him in Belmont after losing Preakness. Horses have bad days like humans.
I get ya Mike….they decided on Sovereignty pretty quick—I’m just putting it out there….seems like a bad sign—and then Mott says he’s like a TIGER? Well maybe…..maybe Godolphin just opposes running back in The Preakness—or……
Agreed.
It is always enjoyable to remember the feats of the best filly of all time. Ruffian was the best horse trained by Frank Whiteley Jr. in his own words and he was the trainer of Damascus and Forego. The Hall of Fame trainer declared years later that Ruffian in fact was the best horse he had ever seen.
Ruffian embodies the powerful legacy of two of the greatest runners of all time: her two grandsires Bold Ruler and Native Dancer. Her matchless migth was also aided by her the four Reine de Course dams in her immediate female family.
Her sire, Reviewer, came to Claiborne right after the passing of his sire Bold Ruler and was regarded as the fastest son of the nine-time champion stallion before the advent of Secretariat. Ruffian’s dam, Shenanigans, was by far the most accomplished producer among all the mares bred by Reviewer for his first crop.
Ruffian was a standout from very early age. In fact, as a yearling she was a whole hand taller than any other yearling at Claiborne. She was sixteen hands already by that time; and most impressive was her girth measuring 75.5 inches. It was reported that her girth was bigger than Secretariat’s at the same age.
I just wanted to recall one of the oddest and funniest anecdotes of Ruffian’s 2-year-old campaign. As Steve related, Ruffian’s regular jocke, Jacinto Vasquez, was suspended for the Astoria Stakes. The Panamenian nonetheless went on to see the race but when Whiteley saw Vasquez he ordered him to ride his pony Dog Sledge and take Ruffian to the Astoria post. The trainer threatened the jockey to take him off Ruffian if he would not complain… You can imagine all the mockery of the crowd who recognized Jacinto Vasquez leading Ruffian to the post on a pony…
It was normal for Frank Whiteley Jr. to call on people to do things below their rank or title. His assistant, Barclay Tagg, despite having his license to go solo, had to do work reserved for stable hands sometimes.
What seems to be overly bossy manners or unprofessional nowadays was tolerated in the name of complying with hard work whenever it was needed… I guess.
Thanks Steve for your remarkable vivid depiction of Ruffian’s exceptional 2-year-old campaign. The spectacular photos are also very much appreciated.
I am looking forward to your second part recounting Ruffian’s 3-year-old exploits. The campaign that made her one of the most distinguished members of the Hall of Fame.
Steve,
Thanks for rekindling the memory of the great filly, Ruffian. I, like Matt W below, only saw her race in the ill fated match race. But had heard of her great feats before that. Like Bill Dawson below when I think of Ruffian it also brings to mind the great Landluce who also was in a class of her own. Being on the West Coast I had access to two great sports pages at the time from the LA Times and Herald Examiner and read great articles from them of her feats.
Steve, your writings like this never get old and we are all lucky you are still around to share them with us. Have a great rest of the week and a great Preakness day.
Thanks. Same to you. To have her come right after Secretariat and during Forego was incredible.
I feel truly blessed to have witnessed that era because I don’t think we will see another like it.
Lining g in the west—×÷ only READ about Ruffian, I never saw her race—except for the match race—we expected jer to lead—nut she was outbreak, and had just put her neck in front—(pulling away? It was on the backstretch!)….Her time in the CCA Oaks was a few ticks faster than Avatar’s Belmont….but Foolish Pleasure was a top level male…..a huge step up—-
Thanks for the usual great story Mr. Haskin.
PS: I watched ‘the race’ many times and Ruff was starting to inch away when tragedy struck. I truly believe she would have dusted Pleasure on that day.. But, it’s like comparing Citation to Cigar. All subjective speculation.
Cigar took his show on the road.
Wonderful information on our past beautiful and thrilling thoroughbreds. Thank you!
Hi Steve. Being at Belmont for 2 of Ruffians races, and ‘in the game’ for almost 40 years and being a fan going back to Kelso, I’ll never forget how majestic looking she was. Possibly the single most impressive ’tacked up’ horse I’ve ever seen. Might have been the best filly to ever.look through a bridle. Great piece.
Great history told by a true fan. Congrats Sir Haskin.
Excellent! I remember watching Ruffian run
(tv) when she started turning heads, a great animal, colt or filly she was something to watch, when is part 2?
Steve, I appreciate your look at Ruffian, has it really been 50 years? I was a teen who fell in love with Foolish Pleasure, the little horse that could. I don’t recall seeing any of Ruffian’s races on television, so I was looking forward to the match race. It was the first time I’d seen a horse break down, and to date I have never rewatched that race. Poor Foolish Pleasure seemed to be tainted, so many people quoted in the newspapers expressed anger at him. I recall Moody Jolley’s unfortunate outburst, and I still can see the Sports Illustrated photos of Ruffian after the race, cast on her leg, they’re burned in my memory.
Delighted to learn you were there for Ruffian’s very first race. What a performance she gave, and how wonderfully you described it — I can picture you and your buddy in the stands as you watched. It makes me wonder how you were attired, though. Do you even remember? If you don’t, I picture you in jeans and a Brooklyn Dodgers hat. (God forbid it was a polyester leisure suit.)
There is plenty of speed in this year’s Preakness. Journalism and Sandman could get a setup.
That being said, I would give Clever Again a shot if I knew for sure that he could rate. Which I don’t. His win in the Hot Springs was very easy when he beat BB’s Gaming.
Clever Again steps way way up here and goes from a mile to a mile and three sixteenths.
But he shows 5 works since raced. Three of which were 5-furlong drills.
The downsides are that his 2 wins were at Oaklawn and I’ve always said that what happens at Oaklawn stays at Oaklawn. Like Kentucky Downs.
Also, the BB horse on the rail gets rank in his races when he doesn’t get the lead. The Asmussen and BB runners could do each other in. OR, maybe they go head and head all the way around the track. That would be thinking outside the box.
I have 2 problems with River Thames. His BSFs in all four of his races are between 92 & 95. He looks like a horse that is stuck in neutral. Also, he ran third in the BlueGrass when East Avenue was hustled to the lead and looked like he was cooked in the stretch. Class alone carried East Avenue to the wire where he got nailed on the money by Burnham Square. But I can’t use any horse that wasn’t able to get by East Avenue in that race. Maybe that’s harsh. River Thames is an April foal, and he could improve drastically at any time. And he does have a nice stalking style. But I can’t forget that River Thames was unable to get by East Avenue when the Godolphin runner was pleading for the wire.
Steve, thank you for this. You continue to be the finest racing historian I’ve ever read.
I grew up on the west coast with my first childhood racing memories in 1976, So Landaluce always comes to my mind whenever Ruffian comes up.
But I see why Ruffian is legend. And can’t wait for the next read about her.
Thank you very much, Marc.
Thanks for bringing back good memories, Steve. I was a huge fan of Hot n Nasty, as she got her start at Liberty Bell and was ridden by my favorite jockey at the time, Darrell McHargue. I very much wanted to go to Monmouth for the Sorority that year, but it just didn’t work out. Naturally disappointed that Hot n Nasty was beaten, Ruffian nonetheless won me over and I followed her career closely until her tragic end. Your reporting on her injuries as a 2 year old highlights her physical vulnerabilities, despite her courageous spirit, and sort of foreshadows her fatal breakdown.
To this day she was sensational and she was my favorite race horse. I will never forget the day she broke down and to see her leg shattered like it did broke my heart. Rest in peace beautiful lady.
Thanks Steve for that wonderful race recap of Ruffian and Hot n Nasty. Seems I was there at the track watching the race! Ruffian was a sensational filly filled with greatness. Enjoyed your time machine piece.
Thanks so much for this, Steve. I’d never read what Lucien Laurin had to say about Ruffian. What an incredible athlete she was–absolutely transcendent.
Hi Steve, you were right. Very special. And thank you so much, read with shivers and a few tears — but not entirely bad tears, if that makes sense. “She showed no sign that anything was wrong… ‘[she] … doesn’t like to show any weakness’.”
A few years ago, you were at the Secretariat table at Saratoga, and I picked up your picture of Ruffian (65/75), really not knowing anything about her story at the time. I soon learned how good a choice and now, very grateful to read more about something “never seen before,” or after.
Many things can be true at the same time. What I know, when I look up at my keyboard at the Medicaid job, and see your picture of Ruffian, is hard to describe. But it gives me heart.
Thank you Angela. And thank you for purchasing the photo. So glad you got to know her years later.
Love this so much. Thank you for taking us back in time and bringing her back in such vivid glory.
Thank you very much Kate.
Steve, that was wonderful story! I was in high school with no racetrack to attend and catching only snippets of horseracing on Wide World of Sports, in between the divers in Acapulco and professional bowling with Chris Schenkel. She was a monster. Ran more as a two-year-old than most of these horses we see today in a lifetime. Can’t wait for the rest.
Steve you are a fantastic storyteller, I felt like I was right there watching the magnificent Ruffian. Secretariat, Dr Fager and Ruffian are the 3 most talented racehorses that ever stepped foot on a track in North America in my opinion. Thank you for all you do, looking forward to parts 2 and 3.
I appreciate that kevin. Thank you so much.
Ruffian, I loved that filly. In my imagination there were going to be little Secretariat x Ruffian foals after she retired. Never mind if the pedigree made sense, it was what my young girl heart wanted. I was so devastated the following year. Always love reading about her and imagining what could have been. I was a fan of Coronado’s Quest because he was related to her.
the trainer ran her way way too much…..she always had issues ……the story of RUFFIAN IS A STORY of running a great horse way too much….the trainer deserves blame…..any other thought is fiction……
Why have you returned after so long? Changing your name won’t help. I doubt you’ll be here long so get it all out before Leonard puts you back in mothballs.
RE: Preakness Stakes.
Obviously, Journalism is the horse to beat, but I’m giving a real hard look at Clever Again.
By American Pharoah, out of a Galileo mare, Clever Again is bred to run all day. He possesses excellent tactical speed and the ability to carry that speed over a distance of ground. Instead of riding his KD horse, Sandman, Jose Ortiz has opted to remain aboard Clever Again in the Preakness. A smart decision, IMO. I’ll be keying Journalism and CA in my exotic wagers. There are three horses in the Preakness that I will not be using in my exotic wagers, they are Pay Billy, American Promise and Heart of Honor.
Safe trips to all.
I appreciate your insights, Bill, as Clever Again is the entry that’s most intriguing me right now.
Thanks for the reply, arlingtonfan
Clever Again appears to be Journalism’s main competition, and it would come as no surprise if he (Clever Again) wires the Preakness field.
Good luck with your wagers.
Thank you! And good luck to you as well!
He committed to Clever Again before Sandman entered the picture late.
Right after the I’ll fated match race Foolish Pleasure beat Wajima in the Governor’s Cup—carrying 125 to Wakima’s 116…..a couple of five year olds came a close 3rd and 4th—-Ancient Title and 130 lbs…Forego and 134—-a different era..
Wajima beat Foolish Pleasure by a head
Whoops….then they put on a show in The Marlboro….I was rooting for Ancirnt Title at 13-1…I felt pretty goodon theturn, but top two left him and everyone else far behind—Mighty Forego and “forgotten” Wajima! Some great races, after that I’ll fated match race…..CBS Sports Spectacular, I think it was….probably the biggest “Downer Day” I can recall, in my lifetime as a race fan….
It was Wajima and Forego who put on a show in the Marlboro cup. Foolish pleasure was well beaten.
Yes…I didn’t elaborate well….Forego came up the rail but WJima held him off—but Forego got revenge, the next time! I think Group Plan won a big race that Fall, as well—50 years ago some great racing—beforw the advent if the Breeders Cup those races meant everything…
Fabulous read! I loved Ruffian with all my heart and it still aches.
Thanks Tom
Hard to read and look at photos without tears.
Watched her final race live.
So devastated by the news the next day that she did not make it that I could not watch live horse racing for 20 years.
The greatest filly ever in my opinion.
Her homecoming to Clairborne brought a small measure of peace.
Thank you for telling the story of her brief but brilliant career.
In 1974 over my dad’s objections I decided to try my hand at daily attendance at Aqueduct & Belmont. I fared OK my small bankroll lasting until I went back to college in the fall. But because of my decision I got to see all of Ruffian’s NY starts. I wasn’t too good at picking 2yos so I think I passed on her maiden race but was impressed by her looks in the post parade. I enjoyed watching her greatness each time. The only time I even pondered wagering against her was in the Spinaway as she looked a little washy in the paddock and Laughing Bridge had 2 impressive wins at the Spa. I just couldn’t do it. I also remember seeing her in the CCA Oaks and one guy in the stands got up and yelled “She’s gonna get beat!” when Equal Change started her rally. I just chuckled as she drew away with ease.
Terrific story and terrific pictures.
That program is a fantastic collector’s item.
I noticed that measly $9,000 purse for the Maiden race. Different times. Ruffian could run in Maiden races for $120k these days. I would have liked to have a bet down on Ruffian at 4-1.
It sounds like Frank Whiteley was pretty cagey going into that Maiden race. I wonder how much he had on her to win at 4-1?
The story of you and your friend, Jack Zaraya, remind me of great times at the track with my own racetrack buddies. Days gone by. Those friends are all gone now. Oh, they are still alive as far as I know. They just don’t follow the horses anymore. Three of them, their wives put a stop to it. Another one became a video poker junkie. I never saw the appeal of that.
Your stories of the great days at the New York tracks mean a lot to me. I’m from the west. Santa Anita and Hollywood Park mostly, with a little Del Mar thrown in. In those golden days back east, we rarely got to see races back there except for the Triple Crown races or a few big races on Wide World of Sports occasionally. Sadly, the only time that I ever saw Ruffian was on that horrific final day. I believe that was on Wide World of Sports. There was no simulcasting in those days.
I remember Miss Tokyo vaguely. I won’t be too hard on myself. That was 50 years ago.
Thank you. Looking forward to part 2.
Great!!!
Steve, wonderful article – I never saw Ruffian run, and I so wish I had. What a magnificent looking filly…
Poor Hot N Nasty
Hi Steve
Thank you for providing this fascinating back story on the great filly, Ruffian.
Landaluce, my all-time favorite filly, had a striking resemblance to Ruffian, IMO.
Both fillies were bred from the Bold Ruler sire line, and Landaluce’s broodmare sire line leads directly to Bold Ruler. Both were above average in size and their coloring was very similar. The tragic demise of these two beautiful fillies is the hard part of racing which is not for the thin skinned.
D. Wayne Lukas was holding Landaluce’s head in his lap as she lay dying in her stable.
He was visibly crying, during her final moments, and would later say that he would never allow himself to get that close to a horse again. Such a sad ending.
Really enjoyed feeling a little bit of what it was like to have great horses roaming the land and running every few weeks. The great horses of the 70s were just before my immersion in racing, so they seem like giants to me, much like the Mantles and all the others who seem bigger for their remoteness. And it was all about the horse, not numbers, sales prices, or personalities. Looking forward to the next one.