Control Stake stalks to victory in Hilton Memorial

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Even-money favorite Control Stake somewhat surprisingly wasn't on the early lead in the $100,000 Robert Hilton Memorial Stakes at Charles Town on Saturday. Instead, he found himself in a stalking position in the seven-furlong race for 3-year-olds.

Control Stake had what it took, though. He rallied to the lead three wide on the second turn under jockey Cornelio Velasquez and blew the race open in upper stretch, eventually winning by 4 1/2 lengths.

The victory was the third in a row in the Hilton for trainer Tom Amoss, who won last year with Rise Up and in 2013 with Free World.

Control Stake was timed in 1:24.28 and paid $4 as the favorite in the eight-horse field.

One More Time was second at 9-1, and the 27-1 Charitable Annuity finished third.