Creator sprang a surprise in the Belmont Stakes when getting up in the final strides to claim the third leg of the American Triple Crown at the New York track.
The Steve Asmussen-trained grey made up a lot of ground in the straight to edge out Destin by a nose as hot favourite Exaggerator finished well-beaten in his bid to add the Belmont to his Preakness triumph.
The pace was set by Asmussen's other runner Gettysburg with Destin and Stradivari close up and Exaggerator in touch.
However, Kent Desormeaux's Classic winner had no more to give and was eased down after holding every chance turning in and finished 11th of the 13 starters.
Destin kicked for home from the final turn and looked like scoring for Todd Pletcher but Irad Ortiz Jr got a fine tune out of Creator to snatch the prize. Lani was a length and three-quarters away in third.
Creator was running for the first time since being well-beaten in the Kentucky Derby.
"I was glad to see them put his number up as they came to the wire together," Asmussen told At The Races.
"The team did a great job, I'm very proud.
"He proved his worth today and I'm just thankful of this opportunity with a great horse."
Ortiz said: "It's a magical feeling and is very important for me. I'm very happy."
