Driver Travis Cullen cleared the lead with Clever Character and refused to relinquish it in progress to a 1:53.3 mile to take the $11,000 Horses & Geldings Preferred Pace at Grand River Raceway on Wednesday night (Aug. 31).

Clever Character claimed control before a :26 first quarter, forcing odds-on favourite Rhythm In Motion to take the pocket. With the tempo still hot to a :55.4 half, Cullen rationed his charge's speed to three-quarters in 1:24 and strode for home in hand to win by a length over Rhythm In Motion. Chappies Boy finished third while Dragon Energy faltered from a first-over bid for fourth.

Owned by A1stable, Ronald Cullen and Paul Sanders, Clever Character won his 20th race from 83 starts and has now earned $489,467. Jodie Cullen conditions the five-year-old Tellitlikeitis gelding who paid $8 to win.

To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results - Grand River Raceway.