Ruffian - maybe the greatest debut of all-time

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by classhandicapper

Not to diminish Ruffian as a 2YO (obviously freakishly good) , but it's not that unusual for 2YO fillies to be ahead of 2YO colts in their physical development (especially sprinting). I think that's something that has to be considered when evaluating them relative to colts based on the standards we are used to among older horses.

If the typical gap between MATURE males and females is typically 8 Beyer points (+ or - a little), it tends to be less among 2YO sprinters.

Had she remained sound and continued racing, I think she would have been a lot like RA in that we would have seen her best at 3.

Obviously fillies develop earlier than colts. You watch them drill at the 2yo sales in Feb through June - and typically the better females are a little more impressive than the better males collectively.

In general - males can handle tough campaigns and huge individual performances better than females. There have been A LOT of great performances by females that have been followed by injury and long layoff.

Melair, Mossflower, La Femmen, Sharp Cat almost died after her 119 Beyer and never raced again, Akinemod won a Grade 2 by 18 lengths with a 120 Beyer for her 6th straight win, she didn't race again for over a year and a half was "Eased, DNF" in her return race. Blushing K.D, Ski Goggle, etc.

That was one thing Zenyatta always had going for her, her performances were so mediocre and relatively slow that they were easy to come back from. Look at her after those California wins - she comes prancing back looking like she wasn't even in a horse race. After the BC Classic - she came back hot and dirty - looking so tired that if you sprayed her with a hose you might knock her over. Those are the type of efforts horses don't always come back from - especially females.