Ghoul's Night Out denies A Great Time in Jameela Stakes

Ghoul’s Night Out drove to a spirited neck win over A Great Time in the $75,000 Jameela Stakes at Laurel Park.

A Great Time took a three-length lead to the stretch call of the Jameela, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for Maryland-bred or -sired older fillies and mares, but, like an apparition coming out of the darkness, Ghoul’s Night Out flew home the last furlong to just get up. Odds-on favorite Fear No Evil stalked the pace while wide and finished mildly for third.

Ghoul’s Night Out, ridden by Jorge Vargas Jr., paid $40 to win and was timed in 1:02.65 over firm going. Owned by Mens Grille Racing, 5-year-old Ghoul’s Night Out is by Ghostzapper out of Amie’s Legend, by Not For Love, and she won for the fifth time in 22 starts. Ghoul’s Night Out was exiting an open second-level allowance win but had raced only twice on turf, finishing second in her grass debut, and had made no turf starts in 13 months.

“I didn’t think she’d win it, but I thought she’d run well,” said trainer Hamilton Smith, haunting words for bettors who never saw Ghoul’s Night Out coming.