Forced wide in a demanding :26-opening quarter, Hugadragon had enough in reserve late to capture Tuesday’s $22,500 Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows

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Leaving from post eight, Hugadragon expended considerable energy wresting the early lead from American Rage. He easily thwarted the first challengers, but had to deal with the fresh threat from Jojo N Goliath in the lane. The four-year-old Dragon Again-Hip Huggers gelding held on to down Jojo N Goliath narrowly in 1:50.2. Schoolkids was third.

Ron Burke trains the homebred Hugadragon, who now boasts $857,434 in career earnings and two straight wins in the Preferred Handicap, for Burke Racing Stable.

(The Meadows)