Round one of the Raindrop Series kicked off on Friday evening at Rideau Carleton Raceway, with trotters going toe-to-toe in a trio of $6,700 divisions

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Erge Baboche survived a first-over trip to win the opening tilt in 2:01.2 for driver Denis St. Pierre and trainer Eric Poisson. The five-year-old son of Newtown-Flashdance Merit used a :30.4 closing panel to prevail by three-quarters of a length over Fugitif Mirabel, with Conflict grabbing the show dough.

Poisson’s homebred, who won for the first time this season and for the third time in his career, has banked $20,005 to date.

Star Photo picked up his third win in as many tries for trainer/driver Robbie Robinson, who watched the gelding secure a new lifetime mark of 2:01 in an effort that turned out to be an easy one. The three-year-old son of Classic Photo-T V Star Kosmos brushed to the lead past the half and drew clear to win by 1-3/4 lengths over Genevieve Dream, with Amiga Valley taking home third prize.

Unraced as a rookie for owners Stephanie and Brian Cassel of Gloucester, ON, Star Photo pushed his lifetime earnings to $9,450 with the victory.

Betweentwopillows went 0-for-3 to start the season, but she’s now 3-for-6 this year thanks to her third consecutive triumph for trainer John MacMillan. With Gord Brown at the lines, the three-year-old daughter of Credit Winner-Lavern Lavec led the field through intervals of :30, 1:00.2 and 1:30.2 before using a :30.3 final quarter to win by 7-1/4 lengths in a sharp time of 2:01. Lily Of The Valley was next best, with Springtimeinalaska taking home the show dough.

MacMillan owns the lightly-raced sophomore who has banked $15,345 in her career.

To view results for Friday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Friday Results – Rideau Carleton Raceway.