In her second start in the -furlong Fashion Stakes, Ruffian faced stiffer company but still won by nearly seven lengths while equaling her own track record. She next won the Astoria Stakes, this time by nine lengths. Her next start at Monmouth Park on July 27 in the Grade I Sorority Stakes would prove a greater challenge as she faced another top class filly called Hot n Nasty, who like Ruffian had already earned multiple stakes wins. Ruffian went to the early lead, setting a "torrid" pace but Hot n Nasty was just a length behind. As they turned into the stretch, Hot n Nasty moved alongside Ruffian and for a moment actually seemed to be leading. For the first and last time, Vasquez hit Ruffian with the whip. Ruffian responded by inching back into the lead, then finally drew away to win in a stakes record by lengths – the third place horse was 22 lengths behind. The day after the race, Ruffian came down with a heavy cough. Vasquez also believed she had popped a splint in the race, which, although not a serious injury, was painful and enough to take the edge off of most horses.