Ruffian
by Jane Schwartz

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Book Reviews of Ruffian

Book Review: The best ever?
Summary: 5 Stars

Ruffian died before a nationwide television audience in a match race with Kentucky Debry winner, Foolish Pleasure. It was only her eleventh race. Only eleven races, yet in that brief span, she has been hailed as the greatest filly of all time. But after reading Ms. Schwartz's book, I think the case can be made that she was the greatest thoroughbred of all time, and that includes the wondrous Man o' War.

Consider these facts. Ruffian was bigger than most colts; was never behind in any race, except for the first couple of jumps out of the starting gate (when she broke her leg in the match race, she was a length ahead of Foolish Pleasure and widening); and was always slowing down well before the finish line, having destroyed her competition while cruising the backstretch. Yet, despite ten easy romps, Ruffian set speed records that are hard to believe.

For example, her first race took place at Belmont Park. She ran the 5 and 1/2 furlongs under heavy restraint in 1:03 flat. This tied the track record! In the Spinaway at Saratoga, she ran six fulongs in 1:08 and 3/5. This was the fastest six fulrongs ever run by any two-year-old in the history of Saratoga, including Colin, Man o'War, Native Dancer, Nashua, and Secretariat! And in the Comely, Ruffian not only set a stakes record, she also created a minus pool across the board, both on-track and OTB.

The match race is told in all of its horror, but the last few pages are so lovingly and poetically written, I stopped crying, and was just so glad Ms. Schwartz wrote this book, and allowed me to learn about the great Ruffian.

Summary of Ruffian

History of Sports Books

• Subjects > Sports & Outdoors > Miscellaneous > History of Sports