Arindel's 21-1 longshot Clapton stalked the leaders before using a strong move coming out of the far turn to capture the $180,000 Ghostzapper Stakes (G3) over O'Conner April 1 at Gulfstream Park.
The 4-year-old chestnut homebred son of Brethren ended a five-race losing streak dating back to a victory in the Gil Campbell Memorial Handicap at Gulfstream in October.
"I guess I'm slightly surprised but it's not like I doubted him," Arindel racing manager Brian Cohen said. "I'm super happy."
Clapton, trained by Juan Alvarado, broke from post position No. 6 in a seven-horse field for the 1 1/16-mile race for older horses.
In a race largely void of established frontrunners, Novogratz Racing Stables' Surly Furious immediately grabbed the lead from the rail post and set fractions of :24.38, :48.79, and 1:12.22 with Michael and Jules Iavarone and Fernando Vine Ode's O'Connor chasing in second.
Clapton and jockey Emisael Jaramillo moved up behind the leaders near the half mile, then made their move in the far turn before prevailing by half a length. They posted a winning time of 1:42.94, paying $44.40 to win.
O'Connor, a 6-year-old Chile-bred sired by Boboman , took second under Irad Ortiz Jr., and Surly Furious, a 5-year-old gelded son of Upstart , weakened to third with Jose Ortiz. Favored Simplification was a dull fifth beneath Joel Rosario.
"A graded-stakes win for Arindel, connections that thank God have supported me for a long time," said Jaramillo, who rode Clapton for the first time since last June. "I love this horse. I went to the barn several times to request the chance with him again—a horse that I have ridden since he was a baby, since he was a 2-year-old. So, I had a lot of faith in him."
Cohen said Clapton, who improved to 5-3-5 in 20 starts, had been a bit inconsistent, "running a huge race, running an average race."
"He had been running against such tough horses all winter," Cohen said. "After his last race...there was no pace in the race and he came back good...but I really, in the back of my head, we were planning to give him a little bit of a break—planning this year and maybe in six to eight weeks, winning an allowance.
"Then early this week, he was really training super. It just gave us a lot of confidence coming into the race."
Cohen also gave credit to the winner's sire, who stands at Arindel Farm near Ocala.
"(Brethren) has given us everything," Cohen said. "He's given us runners—long, short, turf. (They're all) just runners. They want to run."
Out of the stakes-winning Aleet Alex mare Alexandra Rylee , Clapton is one of five winners from as many starters out of the dam. A full brother, Knox , is stakes placed. Of the dam's three unraced foals, one is a yearling full sister to Clapton and Knox.
Following his horse's victory, Cohen said the $250,000 Pimlico Special (G3) May 19 could be next for Clapton.
"I'd still like to think of another big race," Cohen said. "Hopefully, just have a really great year and get in the Pegasus (G1) next year."