Mares contest White Ruffles

Up Front Jan-E-Lu extended her winning streak to nine in the second of four $12,500 divisions of the opening round of the White Ruffles Series on Thursday night at the Meadowlands, with the other splits going to Perfect Sign, Ima Sporty Lady and Incredible Kitty.

Although pressed a bit early on the first turn by Western Miracle, Up Front Jan-E-Lu had the lead by the quarter pole and drew off to her 12th win in 20 career starts in a lifetime best of 1:54 for the mile. It was a length back to Western Miracle in second and 4 1/2 lengths to Kiss Me Once Again in third.

Up Front Jan-E-Lu, driven by Brian Sears and trained by Nat Varty, began her winning streak on Oct. 19 at Hiawatha Horse Park in Sarnia, Ont., and continued her success at two other Ontario tracks, Georgian Downs and Flamboro Downs, before making her Meadowlands debut in this opening round division of the three-week White Ruffles for 4-year-old pacing mares.

The Dragon Again mare, owned by Ed Mullinax of Amherst, Ohio, lifted her career bankroll to $42,845.

The opening $12,500 White Ruffles division went to Perfect Sign, who parlayed a two-hole trip from driver Daniel Dube into a 10-1 upset in a career-best 1:53.3. The two-length win was the second straight for the daughter of Life Sign trained by Delvy Lopez and owned by Ralph Carnevale.

Andy Miller led from start to finish with Ima Sporty Lady to capture the third White Ruffles division in 1:53.3. The win was the third straight for the daughter of Sportsmaster. Miller's wife, Julie, trains for owner Jean Goehlen.

The first round of the White Ruffles wrapped up with 1:53.1 winning effort from Incredible Kitty. Yannick Gingras was in the sulky behind the daughter of Incredible Finale who is trained by James Scholz and owned by Harry and Charles Van Knoblauch.

The $50,000 estimated White Ruffles final is scheduled for Jan. 25. (with files from Meadowlands)

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