Top Royal and Paparazzi Hanover captured their respective Preferred assignments Monday at Grand River Raceway, and that was music to the ears of the favourite players.

Sent off at odds of 6-5, Top Royal made a three-wide move late in the mile and then kicked home in :29.3 to win the $8,500 Preferred 3 for filly and mare pacers. The six-year-old daughter of Royal Mattjesty-Top Of The World drew clear to win by 1-1/4 lengths over Aint Three OK in 1:55.2. Lo Hold A Moonbean was third.

J Harris mapped out the winning trip for the Randy Henry trainee who is owned by Brydown Farms Inc of Clinton, Ont. The victory improved her 2019 record to 5-5-1 from 18 attempts, and the lion’s share of the purse bumped her overall bankroll to just shy of $200,000.

Paparazzi Hanover, who was the even-money favourite in the $8,500 Preferred 3 for horse and gelding pacers, went to the front and didn’t look back for Team Cullen.

Travis Cullen carved out fractions of :27.2, :56.2 and 1:24.1 with the gelding before using a :28.3 closing panel to stop the teletimer in 1:52.4. The margin of victory was 2-1/4 lengths over Single White Sock. Hidden Potential tagged along to finish third.

Jodie Cullen trains the seven-year-old son of Well Said-Paulas Best for Travis Cullen and Keith Hannah. The win was the pacer’s fifth of the season and the 20th of his career. He’s stashed away earnings in excess of $320,000 to date.

Earlier on the card, Dawns Light gave owner-trainer Katelynn Rourke on Acton, Ont. a 1.000 batting average as the three-year-old Vintage Master filly upset favoured Cheeky Chicky in the second half of the daily double. Driver Natasha Day engineered the victory for Rourke after a pocket ride behind pacesetter Sports Miracle, shooting up the passing lane to get up by a nose.

To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Grand River Raceway.