Del Cielo, an improving youngster, showed that he’s learning his lessons well Friday at The Meadows when he came first over to capture a division of a $274,984 Pennsylvania Sires Stake for freshman colt and gelding trotters

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Del Cielo was winless in his four previous career starts, a record that trainer Buzzy Sholty attributed to a combination of bad luck and inexperience.

“He was trapped in two times, and it wasn’t until his second or third start with Mike that he settled down,” Sholty said. “It was just a matter of being green and getting stronger.”

In the Florida Pro, Lachance saved ground for as long as possible before sending the homebred son of Broadway Hall-Not Just Blonde first up from third. He scored in 1:57.3, 1/2 length better than Magnum Kosmos, with Just In third.

George F. Sholty Stable, Barbara Bongiorno and Brendan Johnson own Del Cielo, who is ticketed for the $50,000 PA Sires Stake consolation and remains Breeders Crown eligible.

High Pan Tolerance did not appear keen on following cover when Brian Sears moved him, but the Peter Pan Stables homebred persevered to score in 1:58.4, a race mark. Opinion Hanover was second, with Groom Hanover third.

“He got a good trip and probably should have got home a little better,” said Ray Schnittker, who trains the son of Cantab Hall-No Pan No Gain, “but a win is a win. At least he fired when he caught up with cover. He’s a pretty good horse but doesn’t have enough racing experience.”

Luckycharm Hanover worked out a perfect two-hole trip behind 2-5 favourite Triomphe De Vie, pulling the pocket for Lachance around the final turn and prevailing in 1:57.3. Orlando was second best and I Love New York was a rallying third.

“It was just a good trip for him,” Lachance said. “He was pretty good in the stretch, and I had plenty of horse left. He’s a nice, safe horse who also has speed.”

Tom Haughton trains Luckycharm Hanover, a son of Andover Hall-Lady Luck Hanover, for Arthur Rudolph, Rudolph Stables and Bernard Owen.

Live Jazz finished second, but was place first in the other division for the tandem of driver John Campbell and trainer Chuck Sylvester. The son of Andover Hall-Limitless Sky defeated Kashs Cantab, who was third placed second, and Big Rigs, who was first placed third.

Friday’s card also featured an $80,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series stake for two-year-old filly trotters.

In this stake, Madam Stacey may have been the sharpest as she moved right to the front for Brian Sears and held off a stern challenge from Avista Hanover to score in 2:00.1, a race mark for the daughter of American Winner-Double Yankee.

Avista Hanover fell a length short while Decolletage finished third. Trond Smedshammer trains Madam Stacey for August Miedel.

Migisi won a spirited early duel with Cant Miss before pocketing that rival. That’s the way they finished as well, as Migisi Hanover triumphed for Mike Lachance in 2:00.4, with Can’t Miss second and Face To Watch finishing third.

“She has such a sensitive mouth that I didn’t want to put her in the two hole and have her fight me and get to running,” Lachance said. “Once she got to the front, she had a lot of trot.”

Don Swick trains Migisi, a daughter of Andover Hall-Gluteus Maximus, for Royal Wire Products.

A number of breakers posed potential traffic problems, but Cheetah Hall stayed calm through it all, moving first over to score in 2:00.2 for Brett Miller. Southwind Rosita, shuffled after grabbing the early lead was second, with Cutie Pie third.

Scott Cox trains Cheetah Hall, a daughter of Tom Ridge-CR Zoe Faith, for Towering Oaks Farm and Caroline Lynch.

(The Meadows)