Unusual Heatwave overhauled 8-5 favorite Mega Heat late in the race to win the $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes by three- quarters of a length at Santa Anita on Sunday.
Ridden for the first time by Kent Desormeaux, Unusual Heatwave ran a mile on the turf in 1:34.17 and paid $16.80 to win.
Ethnic Dance was third, a nose back of runner-up Mega Heat.
Trained by Alexis Barba, Unusual Heatwave had been winless in his past six starts, with his last victory coming in the Real Good Deal Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 3, 2012.
"He had a bit of problem with his breathing, but we've got that addressed now," Barba said. "We felt he was doing well coming into this race and it was great to see him run well."
The victory, worth $60,000, increased Unusual Heatwave's career earnings to $482,752, with four wins in 19 starts.
