SAM SHEPARD TO HEADLINE ESPN ORIGINAL MOVIE "RUFFIAN," PREMIERING AS THE "ABC SATURDAY MOVIE OF THE WEEK," JUNE 9

Frank Whaley Co-Stars And Yves Simoneau Directs the Film, Which Will Air in HDTV with 5.1-Channel Surround Sound

Sam Shepard ("Don't Come Knocking," "Black Hawk Down") stars in the inspiring horse racing drama "Ruffian," the powerful and emotional true story of the racehorse hailed as the greatest thoroughbred filly of all time. Shepard plays trainer Frank Whitely, who guides this incredible filly's ascension into the public consciousness amid the backdrop of the �70s, a decade of equine superstars and Triple Crown winners. Ruffian's beauty and speed made her a memorable filly, but it was her match race with Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure that made her one of the beloved horses of all time. The movie, which was shot in Shreveport, LA in 2006, also stars acclaimed actor, writer and director Frank Whaley ("Pulp Fiction," "Born on the Fourth of July") as legendary sports writer Bill Nack. Famed Canadian film director Yves Simoneau ("The 4400," "44 Minutes" and "Nuremberg") helms this original production.

"Ruffian" will premiere on ABC in conjunction with the Belmont Stakes JUNE 9 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET). The movie will then be aired on ESPN October 24 at 8:00 p.m. Content will also be available to consumers across multiple ESPN platforms, including ESPNHD, ESPN360, VOD and DVD.

"Ruffian" stars Sam Shepard as Frank Whitely, Frank Whaley as Bill Nack, Mat Greer as Dan Williams, Mark Adam as Mike Bell, Tyrone Shaw as Squeaky, Nicholas Pryor as Stuart Janney, Christina Belford as Barbara Janney, Keith Flippen as Dinney Phipps, Franco Torres as Braulio Baeza, Mike Harding as Leroy Jolly, John McConnell as Tony Pappas, Jon Stafford as Dr. Pendergast, Stuart Greer as Dan Lasater, David Dwyer as Dick Sandler, Dennis O'Neill as bar owner, Marion Guyot as Barbara's friend and John S. Davies as CBS executive.

The film was written by Jim Burnstein & Garrett K. Schiff and executive-produced by Orly Adelson ("CodeBreakers," "Playmakers"), Orly Adelson Productions.

"RUFFIAN" IN HDTV:
"Ruffian" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.

This program carries a TV-PG,V parental guideline.