Anyone see Ruffian run?

[jognlope]

Just curious, since I saw the movie again, tearjerker, yesterday.

[sonnyp]

back then, the saturday afternoon feature race was televised by the local stations sponsored by "the schaefer circle of sports"(beer) and hosted by wynn elliot. the only thing that would screw it up was the met game if it went extra innings.

i'm sure many here saw her either live or on t v many times including that brutal day she broke down .

[misscashalot]

Just curious, since I saw the movie again, tearjerker, yesterday.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsi_ixx4pAY

[Canarsie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsi_ixx4pAY

Saw her win her maiden race and cashed. Only reason was her daddy always beat me betting against him. :bang:

There was such a buzz in the stands that day people knew there was greatness in front of them.

[jognlope]

Thanks for video, shut my eyes at the end. She really was larger than life.

[Dick Powell]

I think the Win Eliot show was before Ruffian's time. Channel 9 in NY, WOR, televised the Saturday afternoon feature race from NYRA as well as the ninth race. Frank Wright, Charlsey Cantey and Dave Johnson were the hosts. Many people that could not get to the got to see the great stars of the 1970s on that show. Ruffian was one of the stars in 1974 and 1975. She was Michael Jordan. To this day I have not seen anyone with her pure brilliance.
I went to see the Frizette one year when she was a 2YO and she had an injury the day of the race and was scratched. Was at the match race.

[Casino]

Saw her win her maiden race and cashed. Only reason was her daddy always beat me betting against him. :bang:

There was such a buzz in the stands that day people knew there was greatness in front of them.
Steve Davidowitz quoted in his book (opinion) Ruffian would've beaten any horse from 6f to a mile,including Secretariat!

[Nacumi]

She broke down on my birthday, so I've never been able to watch any of the replays since. A truly great filly, one for the ages.

[joanied]

jog...I saw her race in person...in fact, we ran a filly in the CCAO and finished 2nd to Ruffian...saw the big black filly several times a week at Belmont...and I was among the trees on the backstretch, just off the outside rail when she ran against Foolish Pleasure, close enough to hear that bone chilling 'crack'.

[jognlope]

Joanied, that must have been a bad day. I think Secretariat movie is just what I need after that sad movie.

[sandpit]

Steve Davidowitz quoted in his book (opinion) Ruffian would've beaten any horse from 6f to a mile,including Secretariat!

She was the second horse I was completely enamoured with (Hoist the Flag was first), but I think she would have had a hard time with Dr. Fager.

[pandy]

Steve Davidowitz quoted in his book (opinion) Ruffian would've beaten any horse from 6f to a mile,including Secretariat!

I saw Ruffian run twice in person and before I even knew about Steve's remarks I always felt that Ruffian was the fastest horse I ever saw up to about a mile. She ran so fast so effortlessly that it's hard to imagine that any horse could possibly stay with her. I don't think there's any question that for pure sprint speed she was one of the top 10 fastest horses ever. This is a horse that could go :21 and change and appear to be breezing.

The first time I saw her run, her first start as a 3yo, I was with a friend and we couldn't believe what we just saw. After the race people were just shaking their heads in disbelief and awe; it's something I'll never forget.

[jognlope]

Thanks for your memories. She was a gift.

[George Sands]

Steve Davidowitz quoted in his book (opinion) Ruffian would've beaten any horse from 6f to a mile,including Secretariat!

I don't think that's quite what Davidowitz wrote. Do you have the quotation?

[joanied]

Joanied, that must have been a bad day. I think Secretariat movie is just what I need after that sad movie.

Oh, jog...it was horrible...and I wish I hadn't been so close...the Grandstand was total chaos leading up the the race, so I drove over to the backstretch. After they loaded her into the van, and finally got her to the hospital (why they took her to the barn first is beyond me)...anyway, I just sat in Esposito's Bar (next door) and waitied with everyone else...all cryin' in their beer:( ...when word came she was gone, you could have heard a pin drop in that bar...

The Secretariat movie would be a good way to lift your spirits...better yet, watch 'Let it Ride' and have some good laughs:ThmbUp:

[exiles]

Just curious, since I saw the movie again, tearjerker, yesterday.

Saw her race live at Monmouth my home track 1974 sorority, also saw Foolish pleasure win the Sapling I don't remember the year, those were the days!!:jump::jump:

[Casino]

I don't think that's quite what Davidowitz wrote. Do you have the quotation?
Apology this is what he wrote:

Indeed,at six furlongs(three-quaters of a mile),i believe she could have beaten just about any horse that ever lived,including PERHAPS Secretariat,
Page 3 -Betting Thoroughbreds for the 21st century.

[tucker6]

Apology this is what he wrote:

Indeed,at six furlongs(three-quaters of a mile),i believe she could have beaten just about any horse that ever lived,including PERHAPS Secretariat,
Page 3 -Betting Thoroughbreds for the 21st century.at 6F I completely agree. Between 6F and 9F, I'd take Dr Fager over Ruffian. From 9F and beyond, give me Secretariat.

The above is arguable for Dr Fager. He had competition from Damascus.

[Casino]

Landaluce closest thing to Ruffian i have seen,too bad we didnt see enough!

[Cratos]

Steve Davidowitz quoted in his book (opinion) Ruffian would've beaten any horse from 6f to a mile,including Secretariat!

I saw Ruffian run in person several times, but Steve Davidowitz should make a correction in his book because not only would Secretariat have beaten the great filly at distances from 6f to 1 mile; Dr. Fager and Seattle Slew would have done the same,

[pandy]

I didn't see Dr Fager in person, just on film, but Dr. Fager, Ruffian, Seattle Slew, very similar types of horses, freakishly fast horses that bottom out their competition. Secretariat was the stronger finisher though. I don't know who would beat who but Ruffian was certainly as fast as any of them up to a mile, and maybe faster. Of course, in a race it would depend on trip, pace, etc.

[Stillriledup]

Ruffian was born April 17, 1972

[Nacumi]

Her match race with Foolish Pleasure was on my birthday. Nuff said.

[classhandicapper]

I never saw her live, but I saw a few of her races live on TV.