Hugadragon, who banked more than $715,000 as a sophomore last year, got his four-year-old campaign off to a rousing start Tuesday with a facile victory in the $22,500 Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows

Hugadragon closed his three-year-old season with a flourish, capturing the Matron at Dover Downs with a lifetime mark of 1:49.3 in the preliminary leg. After a pair of qualifiers, he looked sharp on the lead Tuesday, scoring for Dave Palone in 1:51 over a sloppy surface. JJ Gladiator was second, with Schoolkids a rallying third.

Ron Burke trains Hugadragon, a Dragon Again-Hip Huggers gelding, for Burke Racing Stable.

Mike Wilder and Palone each drove three winners on the 16-race card.

(The Meadows)