Ballesteros came with a rattling run in the final furlong to follow up his recent Sandown success in the edwardshomes.co.uk EBF Handicap at Chester.
The 11-8 favourite, trained by Brian Meehan, blitzed down the near rail to storm past the pace-setting Sonko in the hands of Ryan Moore and win by two and a half lengths.
Church Music was putting in his best work in at the finish to claim third spot, a further half a length away.
Meehan said: "He's improving and he really likes the ground the way it is. Ryan says five furlongs is ideal for him.
"He's kind of hot, but you can compromise with him. He comes into the paddock late and there is a guy down at the start with him.
"He's always been like that, even as a yearling shortly after he was broken.
"He switches off well in his races and today I wouldn't say it was easy, but he came through well."
Pintura just got home first in a terrific three-way photo-finish to the Fat Gary Sports Earl Grosvenor Handicap.
The 9-2 shot, carrying the in-form colours of local owner Dr Marwan Koukash, held Grissom and Imperial Djay by a short head and the same.
Pintura, trained by David Simcock, was second in this race 12 months ago and kept going for Jamie Spencer to be first past the post.
A stewards inquiry was called for possible interference, but the placings remained unaltered.
Simcock said: "He enjoys the big bend at York, but he's not in the Hambleton Stakes next week.
"I have a couple of others for that and it would come a touch close for him anyway.
"To be totally honest, the horses have been running below expectations and I hope this is a sign of more to come."
Richard Fahey and former stable jockey Paul Hanagan enjoyed a double, kicked off by Viva Ronaldo (11-2) in the Edge Worldwide Handicap.
Hanagan said: "My lad is straightforward and he's in great form in himself.
"It's great to team up with the old boss again and to find his horses in such good form. This is an old favourite and he's done it really well."
The potent pair completed their brace with 3-1 shot Mica Mika in the Gravity Global Investments Handicap.
The Frank Sheridan-trained Ozz was a shock 25-1 of the highstreetvouchers.com Maiden Fillies' Stakes under Italian jockey Mirco Demuro.
