Midnight Poker all the way in Robert Hilton Memorial

Irad Ortiz Jr. completed a consecutive riding triple at Charles Town on Saturday with a wire-to-wire score aboard Midnight Poker in the $85,000 Robert Hilton Memorial, a seven-furlong race for 3-year-olds.

Ortiz put Midnight Poker right on the lead in the Hilton Memorial, and he was never headed, winning by 1 3/4 lengths. Midnight Poker is now 4 for 4 in his career for trainer John Servis, a native of Charles Town, W.Va.

Midnight Poker paid $5.20 as the favorite. He set fractions of 23.82, 47.93, and 1:12.26. He completed seven furlongs in 1:25.14.

Threes Over Deuces moved into contention three wide nearing the far turn and then outbattled Navy Commander for second by a neck. Navy Commander raced in contention along the inner rail throughout but lacked the needed closing kick.

Midnight Poker made his first three starts at Parx Racing. He won a $30,000 maiden-claiming race in September, a $40,000 starter allowance in December, and a first-level allowance last month.

Russell Road: Shaft of Light repeats

Shaft of Light ran the competition off their feet in the $50,000 Russell Road Stakes to score by 5 1/4 lengths.

A 7-year-old gelding ridden by Ortiz, Shaft of Light won the inaugural Russell Road last year. He is trained by Jorge Navarro.

Shaft of Light reeled off fractions of 23.12 and 45.89, which are quick by Charles Town standards, while being tracked by Eastern Bay and Struth.

Struth threw in the towel nearing the far turn and finished last in the field of six. Eastern Bay had little left for the stretch run and checked in a well-beaten fourth.

Shaft of Light was clocked in 1:24.15 and paid $2.60.

Final Prospect finished second at 18-1, 7 3/4 lengths in front of third-place Southside Warrior, a 20-1 shot. The $2 exacta returned $23.80, and the $1 trifecta was worth $62.90.

Shaft of Light came into the Russell Road off an 8 1/4-length starter-allowance victory at Gulfstream Park. He is now 11 for 28.

Caixa Eletronica: Delta Bluesman

Navarro and Ortiz won their second straight race on the card when Delta Bluesman put the pedal to the metal in the $35,000 Caixa Eletronica, winning by seven lengths.

The 8-year-old Delta Bluesman outsprinted the very fast Strong Like Bull for the early lead in the 4 1/2-furlong race and then steadily increased his advantage in a dominating performance.

Strong Like Bull held second by a length over Roman Officer, a fast horse in his own right who lost his best chance when he did not leave the gate well. Greenway Court and Cat Come Home finished in a dead heat for fourth.

Delta Bluesman set blazing splits of 21.58 and 44.80 en route to a final clocking of 50.95. He paid $3.40.

The win was the 13th of Delta Bluesman's career.