Ruthless lived up to her name
the Patterson Derby and Sequel Stakes. His only defeats were to Ruthless in his first and final races.
Fifteen days after the Jersey Derby, Ruthless defeated three colts — De Courcey, Rivoli and Monday — in the first running of the Belmont Stakes, which was contested at 1 miles at Jerome Park. Patrick was credited with a clever ride on Ruthless that led to a neck victory over De Courcey. In its report on the inaugural Belmont, the New York Times described Ruthless as “the best three-year-old now on the turf” following her victory “by a short neck after a most exciting finish.”
Seven weeks after her victory in the Belmont, Ruthless confirmed her superiority over colts by winning the Travers at Saratoga, contested at 1¾ miles. She was the second filly to win the race, following Maiden, winner of the 1865 running. Ruthless won once more, defeating Virgil and De Courcey in the two-mile Sequel Stakes at Saratoga five days after her Travers win. On Sept. 1, she finished second in the 2¼-mile Jersey St. Leger, failing in her attempt to give weight and a beating to De Courcey for a fifth time.
A leg injury while training that fall prompted Morris to retire Ruthless with a career record of 7-4-0 from 11 starts and earnings of $11,000. Ruthless was bred to Monday, producing the colt Battle Axe, winner of the Kentucky Stakes at Saratoga.
In 1876, a vagrant hunter shot Ruthless while she grazed in her paddock. The particulars of the incident are murky at best. Some reports suggested the hunter mistook Ruthless for a deer while others speculated the shooter was drunk. Ruthless fought for five weeks before dying in November at the age of 12.
Turf historian Walter S. Vosburgh regarded Ruthless as the best filly he ever saw. The only fillies to win the Belmont since Ruthless are Tanya (1905) and Rags to Riches (2007). Six fillies have won the Travers since Ruthless, but none have accomplished the feat since Lady Rotha won the 1915 edition via the disqualification of Trial by Jury. Wonder Gadot, winner of the Queen’s Plate and Prince of Wales Stakes in Canada this summer, will attempt to join Ruthless in this exclusive company in the 149th Travers on Saturday. She is expected to be first filly to contest the race since future Hall of Famer Davona Dale finished fourth in 1979. Brien Bouyea is the Director of Communications as the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. He recently authored the book: ‘Bare Knuckles & Saratoga Racing: The Remarkable Life of John Morrissey.’