Ron Bakardi began his quest to defend his B.C. Breeders Stakes title with a front-end victory in the opening leg of the three-year-old series named in honour of Robert Murphy on Friday night (September 28) at Fraser Downs.

Ron Bakardi, the Robert Millbank Breeders Stakes winner last year, earned the first victory of his light sophomore campaign in the first of two $15,000 divisions of the set.

Trainer/driver Jim Marino was aboard the Badlands Hanover gelding, who he co-owns with J J J Stables, and they set fractions of :27.4, :58.1 and 1:26.3 en route to a 1-1/2 length victory in 1:53.4. The career-best effort marked his fourth win in 10 starts. Canadian Pharoh, runner-up in last year's final, finished second as the favourite and Acbc was third.

The second division of the Robert Murphy Breeders Stakes was won by Machitoutofthepark, who prevailed from the pocket in 1:55.2 with Serge Masse aboard for trainer Rod Therres and owner Veikko Pajunen. The Mach Three gelding picked up his second career win defeating Solongo and favourite One Small Favour by 1-1/2 lengths.

Marino also trains two-year-old pacing filly Mrs Suhwiggins, who remained undefeated after her third start in the Betty Millbanks Breeders Stakes opening leg on Friday night was a 1:59.4 front-end success. Paul Davies drove the Custard The Dragon filly, who is also owned by J J J Stables. Ocean Wind and Tough It Out completed the top three finish order.

Making just her second start, John Hudon's The Blue Yak scored a maiden-breaking victory in the evening's first and fastest two-year-old filly division in 1:58.1. Crystal Dragon and Machazulu followed in second and third, respectively.

To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.