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Private Zone takes his walk down Victory Lane after the Vosburgh.

The $400,000 Vosburgh Stakes (G1) is a "Win and You're In" qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Sprint. A field of 7 older horses contested this 6 furlong main track event, with Alfred Vanderbilt Handicap (G1) winner Justin Phillip sent off as the 5-2 favorite off a third place finish in the Forego (G1). In to challenge him included 7-2 second choice Private Zone, winner of the Pirate's Bounty at Del Mar, and 9-2 third choice The Lumber Guy, second in the Chowder's First at Saratoga.

Private Zone (inside) and Justin Phillip battle down the stretch

Jockey Martin Pedroza sent Private Zone to the lead immediately and he set fractions of 22.62 and 44.86 while stalked by 11-2 Strapping Groom and favorite Justin Phillip. At the top of the stretch, Justin Phillip began to close on the pacesetter, as Private Zone clicked off 5 furlongs in 56.25. Justin Phillip and Private Zone hooked up inside the 1/8 pole and after repeated bumping, Private Zone prevailed by a neck in 1:08.02. It was a long 4 1/2 lengths back to Strapping Groom third. Jockey John Velazquez aboard Justin Phillip claimed foul against Pedroza aboard Private Zone but the claim was disallowed by the stewards.

Check out the other races on the card: Jockey Club Gold Cup, Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, The Beldame, The Flower Bowl Invitational, and Kelso Handicap.

# Horse Jockey Win Place Show 8 Private Zone Pedroza 6.20 3.70 2.90 2 Justin Phillip Velazquez 7.80 5.10 4 Strapping Groom Alvarado 5.40 Winning Time: 1:08.02 $2 Exacta 8-2 37.80 $2 Trifecta 8-2-4 192.00 $2 Superfecta 8-2-4-1 562.00 Results Chart

Left: Private Zone in the winner's circle. Jack Sisterson, assistant to trainer Doug O'Neill said, "Justin Phillip came and headed him and then passed him, and he dug down deep and got the win. When he broke out of the gate, I liked the way Martin took him over and got him to the inside. This horse has got natural speed. I wasn't too worried about the fractions. I know he can keep that speed over the six furlongs. We always thought highly of the horse. It's always tough shipping in to Belmont to win an allowance race, never mind a Grade 1. All the credit to Doug and the team back home for getting this horse ready."

Right: Private Zone in the post parade. Jockey Martin Pedroza said, "I got off to a good clean start, and that's what I was concerned about. He's very fast and we just waited for the competition. When I let him run, he gave me everything he had." 

Left: Second place finisher and beaten favorite Justin Phillip in the post parade. Jockey John Velazquez said, "I think it was enough to beat me by a head. When he touched my horse the first time, he lost his balance. The second time, he knocked him completely off balance to beat me by a head. Otherwise, I thought he ran a great race."

Right: Third place finisher Strapping Groom returns after the race. The 11-2 shot contested the pace under jockey Junior Alvarado, then tired late to finish third beaten 4 3/4 lengths. The David Jacobson trainee improved his record to 8 wins, 5 seconds, and 2 thirds in 23 starts, earning $666,713 for owner Drawing Away Stable.

Check out the other races on the card: Jockey Club Gold Cup, Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, The Beldame, The Flower Bowl Invitational, and Kelso Handicap.

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