It was hardly Seabiscuit vs. War Admiral, but seven late scratches reduced yesterday’s third race at Belmont Park, the $65,000 Missy’s Mirage Stakes at a mile, to a de-facto “match race” between the 5-year-old mare Bohemian Lady and the 4-year-old filly Classy Charm. According to the New York Racing Association, it was the first two-horse race at a NYRA track since Devious Dutchess beat Lycka Dancer on the final day of the 1988 meet at Saratoga.

Three horses entered the starting gate, with only win betting allowed. But Yolanda B. Too, even-money at the time, broke through before the start, stumbled, appeared to wrench her left hind leg and was scratched by the vet.

That reduced the odds on Bohemian Lady to 1-5, with Classy Charm at 8-5. But NYRA, given the option under N.Y. State Racing and Wagering Board rule 4009.22 to cancel wagering in sweepstakes with less than four starting entries, refunded all straight bets. The Pick 3 and Pick 4 became, in effect, a Pick 2 and Pick 3, respectively.

In the race, Classy Charm held a slight early lead under Mike Smith, with Bohemian Lady, well in hand under Jose Santos, sitting right off her flank. Bohemian Lady moved up around the turn, took the lead at the top of the stretch and looked like she’d draw off. But Classy Charm swung outside, and under Smith’s rat-a-tat left-hand whipping, regained the lead in deep stretch to win going away.