Tiller's pair complement each other

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Two allowance races, each offering a $66,800 purse, form the late double on Friday's nine-race program at Woodbine.

In the eighth race, a 6 1/2-furlong second-level allowance for fillies and mares with an optional claiming clause of $62,500, trainer Bob Tiller sends out the uncoupled Knocker and Yolie.

Knocker, entered for $62,500, will be making her first start since finishing seventh in the Grade 3 Royal North over six furlongs of turf here Aug. 6.

"It's been impossible to get her in the entries," said Tiller. "Nothing fills for her."

Knocker has won 3 of her 6 starts this year. Her successes came on the main track over six and 6 1/2 furlongs, with her most recent win under optional-claiming conditions tougher than in Friday's race.

"I think she's a good Polytrack horse," said Tiller. "It depends on how the track is playing, but she should come running."

David Clark, who rode both Tiller fillies in their last start, will ride Knocker. Corey Fraser takes over aboard Yolie.

Yolie has won 4 of her 8 starts this year and exits a six-furlong $80,000 claimer in which she finished second to My List, who again is among her opponents.

"She tries every time," said Tiller. "This is her condition; that's where she needs to run.

She'll be close to the pace because she has natural speed.

"But this is a competitive race," Tiller said. "My List is very talented."

My List, trained by Nick Gonzalez, was a 2 1/2-length winner over Yolie here Sept. 2 while earning a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 91.

In the ninth, a 6 1/2-furlong turf race for Ontario-sired fillies and mares who have not won three races, Birsay drops after finishing sixth in the La Prevoyante Stakes here Sept. 15.

Birsay, trained by Mike DePaulo, was beaten just 3o1/4 lengths in the La Prevoyante, a one-mile turf race for Ontario-sired 3-year-old fillies.

"The turf was a little 'good,' and she might not really want to go that far," said DePaulo.

"But I expect her to run better this time. I guess the only disadvantage is running with older horses, but she certainly has a shot."