Ruken was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who competed at the highest levels in California and was the bettors third choice to win the 1967 Kentucky Derby. Bred and raced by Louis R. Rowan, Ruken was sired by Nasrullah's son Nashville who won the 1957 Lakes And Flowers and Palos Verdes Handicaps. His dam was Thank You Ma'm, a daughter of the multiple stakes winner Your Host who sired the five-time American Horse of the Year, Kelso.