There's a "grassy knoll" conspiracy theory ...

... that claims Ruffian was by Bold Ruler ... not by his son Reviewer.

The theory goes like this ...

In 1971 Bold Ruler was dying from cancer and could only service one more season. His son Reviewer was in his first season at stud ... both at Claiborne.

So ... there was nothing to gain from Bold Ruler siring another champion ... but a lot to gain if Reviewer did. Thus ... the records were fudged to list Reviewer as Ruffian's sire ... not Bold Ruler.

Believe it? ... Or not?