Hillybilly Rockstar and Striking Diva pulled off a pair of front-end victories in the Labatts Claiming Series, which kicked off on Friday night at Georgian Downs with two $8,000 divisions

for trotters that are non-winners of $30,000 lifetime as of July 15, 2010, racing for a claiming price of $10,000.

Even-money favourite Hillbilly Rockstar, driven by Simon Allard, pushed past The Moile (Scott Zeron) at the :29.2 opening quarter in the first division. The four-year-old gelding then proceeded to the half in :59.3 before being tested by Hi Tech Tony (Mark Estell), who advanced first up from fourth and went head-to-head with the leader at the 1:29 third quarter mark. Hillbilly Rockstar turned back that challenger as he raced into the stretch and hit the wire in 1:59.2 for the victory. Maestro Springs (Paul MacKenzie) finished one and a quarter lengths behind with Imminent Response (Thomas Smith) coming on for third.

The son of Bands Gold Chip-Shareholder, who is co-owned by trainer Rene Allard and Sherwin Edwards of Terrebonne, QC, won for the fifth time in 24 starts this season and watched his earnings climb to $27,395.

In the second split, four-year-old Striking Sahbra-Warcat Hall mare Striking Diva and Ryan Maxwell fired off the gate from Post 8, establishing a five lengths lead on the field by the :28.2 first quarter. The 6-1 sixth choice in the eight-horse field then cruised past the half in 1:00.3 and three-quarters in 1:30.2 en route to a 2:02 victory. Maple Leaf Quix (Stuart Cocherane) journeyed first over to finish second, one and a quarter lengths behind, and 81-1 longshot A No Vacancy (John Gouveia) was third off a pocket trip.

Striking Diva paid $15.40 to win for the fifth time in 19 starts this year. Her 2010 earnings now stand at $19,672 for trainer John Holmes and owner Vince Gallucci of Brantford, ON.

The second leg of the series will take place next Friday, August 13 with $9,000 divisions ($12,000 claiming) and the $30,000 (added) final is scheduled for Friday, August 20.

To view Friday’s results, click here.