Down overcame a late first-half wobble to consolidate their charge towards immediately bouncing back from demotion with Sunday's clear-cut dismissal of Wexford at wintry Chadwicks Wexford Park.
The Mourne-men dominated much of the first-half, and a 27th-minute punched goal from John McGeough powered them clear by 1-10 to 0-08.
But promoted Wexford, seeking their third victory after letting Limerick off the hook, roused their supporters when turning the tables by 0-14 to 1-10 after 32 minutes with a hat-trick of two-pointers.
Down quickly reasserted to forge ahead at half-time, before the sheer class of defender Daniel Guinness, midfielder Odhran Murdock and attacker Pat Havern – the latter with 0-14 to his credit – ensured their most conclusive victory of the campaign to-date.
Conor Laverty’s charges will now aim to cement their rise at home to Fermanagh on Saturday, while Wexford are on home-soil on Sunday seeking to bounce back against Sligo.
Down ruled the roost during the opening quarter when settling into a double-score 0-08 to 0-04 advantage after fifteen minutes.
Wexford were heavily reliant upon a brace of two-pointers - goalie Darragh Brooks from a free and Cathal Kehoe – during that spell.
Meanwhile, roving full-forward Pat Havern drew first-blood for Down in the third-minute, and he obliged twice more – including from a free - as the red and black controlled matters.
Netminder Ronan Burns even chipped in with an eighth-minute two-pointer free, while a brace from midfielder Murdock was added to by one from instrumental defender Daniel McGuinness as Down went four clear after sixteen minutes.
A second orange-flag score from a free by Wexford custodian Brooks pegged it back to 0-8 to 0-6.
But, after a double exchange of points, Down were boosted by their 27th minute goal-breakthrough.
Guinness was again key when his floated delivery amid fresh rain-fall was punched to the net by Havern (1-10 to 0-8).
But Wexford suddenly hit an inspired vein of form with a hat-trick of two-pointers to transform matters by 0-14 to 1-10 after 32 minutes.
Brooks added his third two-pointer free, while Mark Rossiter and Eoghan Nolan lifted the home support with orange-flag additions from play.
But Down regained a slight edge at half-time, Guinness establishing parity for the first-time after 34 minutes, before Havern made light of a late challenge to slot a two-pointer on the hooter (1-13 to 0-14).
Midfielder Murdock returned with a couple of statement scores within six minutes of the resumption, booting a pair of two-pointers to ease Down clear by 1-18 to 0-15 after Havern had swelled his tally.
Wexford attacker Mark Rossiter almost snapped back with goal only to be foiled at the expense of a fruitless ’45.
And after an exchange of points, Down substitute Jamie Doran was denied a goal by an intervention from Gavin Sheehan.
But play was called back for an advantage which saw Pat Havern extend the margin to 1-21 to 0-16 after 49 minutes from a two-pointer free, and he continued to lead the assault as Down pulled thirteen points clear at one stage.
Wexford had the consolation of defender Eoin Porter pegging back a late goal after a one-two with Mark Rossiter, but this was quite an eye-opener for the Model County management.
Wexford: Darragh Brooks (0-08, 4tpf); Liam O’Connor, Gavin Sheehan, Eoin Porter (1-00); Glen Malone, Dylan Furlong, Eoghan Nolan (0-03, 1tp); Liam Coleman, Cathal Kehoe (0-02, 1tp); Jack Higgins (0-01), Páraic Hughes (0-01), Mark Rossiter (0-02, 1tp); Tom Byrne (0-01), Niall Hughes, Seán Nolan (0-01).
Subs: Michael Kinsella for Higgins (49), Cian Hughes for N. Hughes (56), Robbie Brooks for Byrne (56), Seán Ryan for Nolan (63), Shane Doyle for Malone (63).
Down: Ronan Burns (0-02, 1tp); Pierce Laverty, Ryan Magill, Ryan McEvoy; Daniel Guinness (0-04), Peter Fegan, Callum Rogers; Odhran Murdock (0-06, 2tp), Shane Annett; Tom Close, Ceilum Doherty, Pearse McPolin; John McGeough (1-00), Pat Havern (0-14, 1f, 1tp, 3tpf), Adam Crimmins.
Subs: Eamon Brown (0-01) for McGeough (42), Jamie Doran (0-02, 1tp) for Crimmins (49), Finn McElroy for McEvoy (52), Ruari O’Hare for Close (56), Liam Kerr for McPolin (63).
Referee: Anthony Nolan (Wicklow).
