Milligans School thwarted the sustained bid of Hititoutofthepark and went on to score in 1:55.3 in the slop, fastest division of Saturday’s $167,303 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes at The Meadows.

The event for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters, known as the Super Bowl, was contested over four divisions, with Cufflink Hanover, Truemass Volo and Lagerfeld taking the other splits.

Milligans School earned over $300,000 at two, but didn’t reach the lead at any point in his final five starts of the year. But in his seasonal debut, that’s where Andy Miller put him.

“I would just have soon sat in the pocket or up close somewhere and follow somebody, but that’s where he ended up,” Miller said. “The fractions weren’t that tough, so he responded well. He’s always been a very smart colt. Hopefully, he’s on to bigger and better.”

Hititoutofthepark, fresh off a PA All Stars victory, drew even down the backside, but the son of Yankee Glide-Tori Ann was up to the challenge, downing his rival by three-quarters of a length. Desert Runner rallied for show. July Miller trains Milligan’s School for Stroy Inc.

Second in the Dexter Cup final a week ago, Cufflink Hanover found late racing room and kicked by early leader Love Matters to defeat him by half a length in 1:56, with Southern Cross third.

“I was hoping we would get room,” said winning driver David Miller, who owns the Andover Hall-CR Savoire Faire gelding with the Enzed Racing Stable of the colt’s trainer, Nifty Norman. “I thought the horse on the front end would take us where we had to go. So I took a shot and sat in. I didn’t know about coming first over with my horse.”

He said Cufflink Hanover is ticketed for next week’s Currier & Ives at The Meadows and remains eligible for the Yonkers Trot later this season.

Truemass Volo zipped to the front in his seasonal debut and had little trouble prevailing in 1:56 for Eric Goodell, trainer Doug Hamilton and owners Jon Erdner and Martin Garey. Marion Gondolier finished second, four and three-quarter lengths back, while Hanks Tank completed the ticket.

“He’s come back good for us, pretty fit.” Hamilton said of the son of Muscle Massive-Tresbien Volo. “Last year, he was a little bit of a bully in letting horses go and getting a little temperamental. So we castrated him. Now he can do his bully stuff and get away with it. He’ll go to some of the bigger races if everything’s okay. There’s a feeling-out process before you take on the big boys.”

Saturday’s card also featured a $100,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series stake for sophomore colt and gelding trotters. The event provided a showcase for Elysium Lindy, who collected his fourth consecutive victory. That streak includes the $30,000 final of the Bobby Weiss Series at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Also capturing $20,000 splits were Will Self, Dominus Hanover, Meadowbranch Memo and Mr Right.

As is his custom, Elysium Lindy rushed to the front from post eight for Jim Pantaleano and held off Multitaskr Hanover by half a length in 1:57.2. Love To Glide was third.

“I kept everything the same because he’s been racing very well,” said Kelly Stackowicz, who trains the Cantab Hall-Olympic Lindy gelding locally for his regular conditioner, Donna Marshall. “You don’t want to fix things that aren’t broken.”

Dominus Hanover vacated the pocket at the three-quarters, put away Mosconi Hanover and triumphed in 1:56.2, half a length better than Iholdon. Mac Deeno finished third.

“I thought I’d got him far enough with some cover, with some help,” said winning driver Dave Palone. “I was watching Andrew [McCarthy] intently, and when he chased Mosconi Hanover, I thought, better to give him a shot outside than try the Lightning Lane in these conditions.”

Amber Buter trains the son of Muscle Massive-Dornello, who vaulted over $100,000 in career earnings, for Lawrence Crawford.

Will Self endured a wide opening panel before reaching the point, but had enough left late to hold off Moneycounts De Vie, who was challenging in the Lightning Lane, by a neck in 1:58.2. Chips Halloffame finished third.

“He’s been getting safer,” said winning driver Ray Schnittker, who trains and owns the son of Donato Hanover-Falls For You with Ted Gewertz, Arden Homestead Stable and Bordogna Stable. “He’s always put some steps in, but he warmed up very well, so I thought he’d be okay. He had a chance to get beat, and he hung tough.”

(The Meadows)