Hugadragon vaulted to the lead for Dave Palone, then sailed through the slop for his second straight win in Friday’s $18,000 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows.

A top national campaigner at three when he took his mark of 1:49.3 at Dover Downs, Hugadragon was limited to four starts last year. But he looked like the Hugadragon of old Friday, repelling the first-over thrust of Pair A Dice and defeating him by a half-length margin in 1:52.1 as the 3-5 favourite. Western Churchill finished third.

The five-year-old Dragon Again-Hip Huggers gelding has banked $895,283 for trainer Ron Burke and owner Burke Racing Stable LLC.

Aaron Merriman, Brett Miller, Brian Zendt and Palone each drove a pair of winners on the 12-race card.

(The Meadows)