Oceanport, NJ- Triple K Stables and Jagger Inc.’s Ghost Hunter waited for an opening between horses in the middle of the stretch before storming home to a length victory in Friday’s $42,000 allowance optional claiming feature at Monmouth Park.

Trained by Jamie Ness, Ghost Hunter covered the mile on the firm turf course in 1:35.56 and paid $3.60, $2.80 and $2.10. Weekend Express completed the $17.20 exacta and paid $5.60 and $2.40. It was another 2 ¼ lengths back to High Noon Rider, who paid $2.60 to show.

“I had a very good trip,” said winning rider Antonio Gallardo who notched five wins on the card. “I know this horse really well and I was very confident in him. He’s comfortable running in between horses so I had a little bit of patience with him and he finished strong.”

The 6-year-old gelding by Ghostzapper out of the Kafwain mare Hartfelt now posts a record of 13-8-7 in 38 lifetime starts, good for earnings of $357,730.

Live racing continues Saturday Aug. 13, highlighted by the $60,000 My Frenchman Stakes- Gates open at 11:30 a.m. with first post scheduled for 12:50 p.m.