Ruffian was obviously much better as a 2-year-old and much better as a sprinter.
Stuff like this didn't happen to her...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9jD4...eature=channel
Rachel Alexandra is - at the least - far more accomplished as both a 3-year-old and a router.
Without a doubt, Jess Jackson's willingness to run against males has done a lot to enhance her reputation. Some other very good 3yo fillies never got a shot.
The only 3-year-old filly I can think of that ever ran in the Breeders Cup Classic was Jolypha.
She finished 3rd beaten just 2.5 lengths with a 110 Beyer ... and she was shipping from a poor performance in the Arc and was making her first lifetime start on dirt.
* The winner of that race was Horse of the Year A. P. Indy.
* Pleasant Tap was 2nd. He's a mulitple Grade 1 winner of over $2 million who is the only horse in history to finish in the top 3 in the Ky Derby, BC Sprint, and BC Classic.
* Reign Road was 4th. He came into the race off of back to back Grade 2 wins in the Goodwood and Del Mar BC.
* Sultry Song was 5th. He won that years Hollywood Gold Cup, Whitney, and Woodward
* Defensive Play was 6th. He's a Grade 1 winner who was 2nd in the Pacific Classic in his prior dirt start.
* Thunder Rumble was 7th. He won that years Travers and Jim Dandy
* Strike The Gold was 8th. He's a Kentucky Derby winnner with almost $3.5 million in earnings
* Twilight Agenda was 9th. He's a Grade 1 winner who made over $2 million.
* Jolie's Halo was 10th. He's a 3 time Grade 1 winning millionaire
* Marquetry was 11th. He's a 3 time Grade 1 winner who made almost $3 million
* Zoman was 12th. Multiple Grade 1 wining millionaire
* Technology was 13th. Multiple Grade 1 winner .. won the Fla Derby and Haskell.
* Rodrigo De Triano was 14th. He was a champion 3yo in Europe that year and won 5 Group 1's from 6f to 10.5f.
Of course, look what Melair did when they ran her against males as a 3yo. She set mind-boggling fractions, flirted with a world record, and destroyed a very good champion in Snow Chief. Her entire career lasted just 10 weeks though.