Ruffian made her debut at Belmont Park on May 22, 1974 in a -furlong maiden special weight race. She went straight to the front and set very fast fractions while pulling away from her rivals. She eventually won by 15 lengths and tied the track record, a noteworthy feat for so young a horse. It was a sign of things to come: Ruffian was on the lead at every point of call in every race she ever ran. She set a new stakes record in each of the eight stakes races she won. She also equaled two track records. Ruffian's jockey Jacinto Vásquez was asked in an interview if it was hard to get to the lead at the beginning of races. He replied, "No, Ruffian sets her own pace and gets there on her own".