Left Bank ran the fastest Vosburgh ever run at Belmont Park, and in the process stamped himself as a top Breeders' Cup Sprint contender with an impressive victory in the Grade 1, $300,000 seven furlong feature at Belmont Park on Saturday.

Left Bank, trained by Todd Pletcher and owned by Michael Tabor, pressed a fast pace set by 3-5 post time favorite Squirtle Squirt, and took charge in mid-stretch to win by a half-length in a time of 1.20.78. The clocking was the second-fastest in 62 runnings of the Vosburgh. The time was two-fifths shy of Dr. Fager's Vosburgh record time of 1:20 1/5 which was set in 1968 when the race was run at Aqueduct.

Left Bank, ridden to victory by John Velezquez, paid $9.50 to win in a field of six horses. It was the second stakes win on the card for Velazquez as well as Pletcher. Velazquez had won the Jerome aboard Express Tour, Pletcher won the Noble Damsel with Tugger.

Squirtle Squirt, the winner of last month's Grade 1 King's Bishop at Saratoga, held on for second after establishing a clear lead in fractions of :22.72, and :44.57. It was another 9 3/4-lengths back to longshot Big EE who closed for third.

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