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Im reading an interestingbook by Mark Shrager titled The Great Sweepstakes of 1877.It details a race at Pimlico in the post-Civil War era of Reconstruction between Ten Broeck, the pride of Kentucky and the South, and two top northern horses named Tom Ochiltree and Parole.

It was an eventthat symbolized the time in so many ways, with much of the nation hanging on the outcome.

So as everything was unfolding at Saratoga on Saturday, with two incredibly talented 3-year-olds in Gamine and Tiz the Law dominating the Test and Travers stakes in rapid succession, it didnt take long to start thinking about Pimlico.

John Velazquez and Gamine after winning the Acorn Stakes at Belmont Park on June 20, 2020.(Photo: Michael Karas/NorthJersey.com)

Lets say things go as planned at Churchill Downs next month, with Gamine, having won her last two starts by a combined 25 3/4lengths, emerging in the Kentucky Oaks on Sept. 4, and Tiz the Law, winner of four straight this year, including the first leg of the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes, taking the Kentucky Derby a day later.

A meeting between the two at Pimlico in the Preakness on Oct. 3, some 143 years after The Great Sweepstakes, would be the showdown racing needs now more than ever.

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There would be aTriple Crown hanging in the balance for Tiz the Law, and aBattle of the Sexes, with Gamine as the spoiler. And with the COVID-19 pandemic making team sports look increasingly problematic, the Preakness figures to have a prominent place on the national stage.

Jjockey Manny Franco reacts after crossing the finish line with Tiz the Law to win the Travers Stakes horse race at Saratoga, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.(Photo: Chris Rahayel, AP)

I know. One race at a time. A lot has to happen for that to even be considered. But it's sure nice to dream about the possibilities.

Ifyoure looking for a moment that could transcend sports, this would be it. The two will have been at the same track for three straight starts, running in different races. Getting them together for what could turn into a match race at Pimlico, with immortality on the line, is more than anyone could possibly ask for in a year when the Triple Crown isspread out over 3 1/2 months due to the coronavirus.

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The elongated Triple Crown cost racing that five-week stretch when it hasthe nations attention, with excitement building from one race to the next. Ratings for the Belmont Stakes were the smallest since 1993, down 35 percent from a year earlier.

It also makes sense. Theres no other major race for Gamine between the Kentucky Oaks and the Breeders Cup. And in the aftermath of Gamines 183/4length win in the Test on the Belmont Stakes undercard, trainer Bob Baffert mentioned the Preakness as a possible spot to take on the boys.

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Gamine has never been headed in four career starts, although she was disqualified after winning a May 2 allowance race at Oaklawn Park for a post-race positive drug test for the local anesthetic lidocaine. Baffert is appealing the disqualification and the 15-day suspension he was handed.

In that allowance race, Gamines only trip around two turns, she beat Speech, who came back to win the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes. Her time of 1:41.91 for the 1 1/16 miles was better than one posted by Kentucky Derby contender Swiss Skydiver, who ran 1:42.0 in winning the Grade 3 Fantasy Stakes.

Tiz the Laws four races this year, including three straight Grade 1 wins, have been by a combined 16 1/2 lengths, using a stunning turn of foot to accelerate away from his challengers in each.

For now, its on to Churchill Downs for the Labor Day weekend festivities. But its hard not to dream of a matchup that would be as anticipated as any in recent memory.

Stephen Edelson is a USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey sports columnist who has been covering athletics in the state and at the Jersey Shore for nearly 35 years. Contact him at: @SteveEdelsonAPP; sedelson@gannettnj.com.

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Horse racing: Tiz the Law, Gamine clash in Preakness could be just what sport needs - Asbury Park Press