In 1867 the first Belmont Stakes race was held at the new Jerome Park racecourse. A filly won. Ruthless was raised by Francis Morris (1811-1886) at Throggs Neck, now part of NYC. Morris also owned farms in Texas and "Oakland Manor" near Ellicott City where Ruthless was shot in 1876. In her short career, Ruthless ran in 11 races: won 7 and second in 4, before an injury. Her first foal Battle Axe, won the Kentucky Stakes at Saratoga in 1873.