Im Justa Lady reasserted her standing among The Meadows’ trotting elite Friday when she powered through the slop to capture the $25,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap

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Im Justa Lady hadn’t appeared in the winner’s circle since November 20, an uncharacteristically long absence for a mare with 61 victories to her credit. On Friday, she took matters into her own hands, moving swiftly to the point for Tony Hall, yielding briefly to Teagan, then reclaiming the lead for good.

The nine-year-old daughter of Inquirer-Quite Becoming scored in 1:57.4, three lengths better than Teagan. Packet Fulla Stars raced gamely first over to finish third. Tom Daumit trains Im Justa Lady, who extended her career bankroll to $499,069, for Janet Collins and Patricia Daumit.

Hall drove four winners while Aaron Merriman fashioned a driving triple.

Elsewhere on the 15-race card, Bell On Wheels, winner of 21 races last year at three, made a successful 2010 debut with an exciting charge through the Lightning Lane that carried her to victory in 1:56.2. Kyle Bolon drove the daughter of Western Hanover-Bellys Up for trainer Rodney Bolon and owner Jim Snyder. Only one other standardbred, Shortest Distance, won as many races last year as did Bell On Wheels.

(The Meadows)