Ruffian And Rags To Riches
By: Linda Ferris
[6.22.07]
Today was Belmont Stakes Day. There was no possibility of a Triple Crown yet from the first "call to post" there was an electricity in the air and an inexplicable feeling that something special was about to occur.
There were a series of events that led us to this moment in time. Individually, they seemed ordinary, three separate entities making day to day business decisions - nothing more, nothing less.
ABC had joined forces with ESPN and Disney to produce a made-for-TV movie about a filly named Ruffian. Since there were only two big race days left on the calendar, it was logical to debut it on the night of the Belmont and then rebroadcast on Breeder's Cup day.
Ruffian was a truly remarkable filly. She was undefeated in 10 starts, winner of the filly Triple Crown and she was born to run. The year was 1975. Women's lib was in full bloom. Bobby Riggs had challenged Billie Jean King to the ultimate Tennis Match - Male vs. female and he went down in defeat much to the joy of women across the country. It was also a time when off-track betting had arrived on the New York Racing Scene devastating attendance at the State's tracks.
The NYRA desperately wanted to bring people back to Belmont. They decided to stage a Match Race between Foolish Pleasure, the colt who had won the Derby and Ruffian, the undefeated filly. Her trainer opposed the race, but her owners' caved in to the pleas of the NYRA - "It will be good for horse racing, good for Belmont." In fact, it was just the opposite. It was one of the worst days in the sport.
I was pleased that a movie was being made about Ruffian. Years before I had read a book titled "Burning from the Start" and had immediately fallen in love with its tragic heroine. I did wonder, though, why they had chosen to do the movie now - it wasn't the anniversary of that tragic race, a filly wasn't entered into the Belmont when they announced production - the only common denominator was Belmont Park. The movie depicted the worst day in its history hardly something the NYRA would like to be reminded of, I imagined, but the stage was set: Lights, Camera, Action!
Todd Pletcher is a fine trainer who had been plagued with disappointments of late. He sent 5 horses in the Kentucky Derby and came up empty, 2 in the Preakness - same result. He did, however, have a filly that won the Kentucky Oaks. Her name was Rags to Riches.
The first time a filly won the Belmont Stakes, Andrew Johnson had assumed the Presidency after Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. The second and last time a filly won was in 1905, Teddy Roosevelt was President. A span of 102 years.
In the midst of the advance preparations for Belmont Day, an announcement was made which stunned the horse racing community: Kentucky Derby winner, Street Sense, would not run at Belmont. The deciding race between Street Sense and Preakness winner, Curlin, would not be run, at least not at the Belmont Stakes. A slot was now open for the race.
What truly inspired Todd Pletcher to enter Rags to Riches? He is a very savvy trainer, he wouldn't do such a thing lightly. It would undoubtedly hurt a reputation he had worked so hard to build, if she failed. He had to believe in her, really believe in her or perhaps - just perhaps a muse whispered to him in a dream, and was not only his inspiration but also gave him the courage to throw caution to the wind. And now all the pieces were in place.
And so, moments before the 11th race, there she was. The beautiful filly with a delicate face, big sparkling eyes and a regal countenance about her, there she was in all her glory taking on the boys. She had the bloodline and dosage that was perfect for this distance, but even more there was this feeling of destiny, of something so appropriate and magical about her running this race. Today the past and present came together in a remarkable way. Today was a very good day for horse racing.
I am a Romantic Dreamer, as such I envisioned the Spirit of Ruffian running with Rags to Riches today, holding her up when she stumbled coming out of the gate. I envisioned Ruffian finally crossing the finish line she was denied 32 years ago.
I would like to believe today she finished her race and is finally at peace.
[6.22.07]
Today was Belmont Stakes Day. There was no possibility of a Triple Crown yet from the first "call to post" there was an electricity in the air and an inexplicable feeling that something special was about to occur.
There were a series of events that led us to this moment in time. Individually, they seemed ordinary, three separate entities making day to day business decisions - nothing more, nothing less.
ABC had joined forces with ESPN and Disney to produce a made-for-TV movie about a filly named Ruffian. Since there were only two big race days left on the calendar, it was logical to debut it on the night of the Belmont and then rebroadcast on Breeder's Cup day.
Ruffian was a truly remarkable filly. She was undefeated in 10 starts, winner of the filly Triple Crown and she was born to run. The year was 1975. Women's lib was in full bloom. Bobby Riggs had challenged Billie Jean King to the ultimate Tennis Match - Male vs. female and he went down in defeat much to the joy of women across the country. It was also a time when off-track betting had arrived on the New York Racing Scene devastating attendance at the State's tracks.
The NYRA desperately wanted to bring people back to Belmont. They decided to stage a Match Race between Foolish Pleasure, the colt who had won the Derby and Ruffian, the undefeated filly. Her trainer opposed the race, but her owners' caved in to the pleas of the NYRA - "It will be good for horse racing, good for Belmont." In fact, it was just the opposite. It was one of the worst days in the sport.
I was pleased that a movie was being made about Ruffian. Years before I had read a book titled "Burning from the Start" and had immediately fallen in love with its tragic heroine. I did wonder, though, why they had chosen to do the movie now - it wasn't the anniversary of that tragic race, a filly wasn't entered into the Belmont when they announced production - the only common denominator was Belmont Park. The movie depicted the worst day in its history hardly something the NYRA would like to be reminded of, I imagined, but the stage was set: Lights, Camera, Action!
Todd Pletcher is a fine trainer who had been plagued with disappointments of late. He sent 5 horses in the Kentucky Derby and came up empty, 2 in the Preakness - same result. He did, however, have a filly that won the Kentucky Oaks. Her name was Rags to Riches.
The first time a filly won the Belmont Stakes, Andrew Johnson had assumed the Presidency after Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. The second and last time a filly won was in 1905, Teddy Roosevelt was President. A span of 102 years.
In the midst of the advance preparations for Belmont Day, an announcement was made which stunned the horse racing community: Kentucky Derby winner, Street Sense, would not run at Belmont. The deciding race between Street Sense and Preakness winner, Curlin, would not be run, at least not at the Belmont Stakes. A slot was now open for the race.
What truly inspired Todd Pletcher to enter Rags to Riches? He is a very savvy trainer, he wouldn't do such a thing lightly. It would undoubtedly hurt a reputation he had worked so hard to build, if she failed. He had to believe in her, really believe in her or perhaps - just perhaps a muse whispered to him in a dream, and was not only his inspiration but also gave him the courage to throw caution to the wind. And now all the pieces were in place.
And so, moments before the 11th race, there she was. The beautiful filly with a delicate face, big sparkling eyes and a regal countenance about her, there she was in all her glory taking on the boys. She had the bloodline and dosage that was perfect for this distance, but even more there was this feeling of destiny, of something so appropriate and magical about her running this race. Today the past and present came together in a remarkable way. Today was a very good day for horse racing.
I am a Romantic Dreamer, as such I envisioned the Spirit of Ruffian running with Rags to Riches today, holding her up when she stumbled coming out of the gate. I envisioned Ruffian finally crossing the finish line she was denied 32 years ago.
I would like to believe today she finished her race and is finally at peace.
