Tiller's twosome lead Passing Mood on turf

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Trainer Bob Tiller will be holding a strong hand Wednesday at Woodbine when he runs Top Ten List and Simply Lovely in the $125,000 Passing Mood Stakes, a seven-furlong turf race for Ontario-sired 3-year-old fillies.

Top Ten List, a competent dirt runner, made her grass debut on July 10 a memorable one, leading all the way through fast fractions in the restricted Ontario Damsel Stakes.

Tiller had high hopes for Top Ten List going into the Damsel, and was elated with her performance.

"She ran great," Tiller said. "She seems to move up on the grass."

Tiller anticipates another strong showing from Top Ten List in the Passing Mood. "She's in good order," he said. "Hopefully, she'll run big again. She's picking up weight again."

Top Ten List carried 118 pounds in the Damsel, and will tote 122 on Wednesday. Apprentice Corey Fraser retains the mount.

Simply Lovely, the reigning Canadian champion 2-year-old filly, has suffered through the sophomore jinx this year, going winless in four starts. Tiller tried her on the grass for the first time in the 6 1/2-furlong Damsel, and was satisfied when she checked in third under David Clark.

"I was very pleased with her race," Tiller said. "She's going into this one just as good. We're looking for another good race from her."

Baby Lou could be the main threat to the Tiller twosome. Trained by Mike Mareina, Baby Lou overcame a very awkward break to graduate at first asking on opening day of the meeting. She subsequently captured an Ontario-sireD allowance, then finished second to heavily favored Bosskiri in the seven-furlong Lady Angela Stakes.

The last time she saw action, in a June 15 allowance, Baby Lou lacked room along the rail on the turn before closing inside for second over a speed-favoring track. The winner, Shot Gun Ela, came back to prevail in an open allowance, and the fourth-place finisher was Top Ten List.

Jockey Jim McAleney, who was aboard for Baby Lou's two victories, reacquires the mount Wednesday and is optimistic about her chances.

"I've worked her on the grass, and she's handled it very well," McAleney said. "I'm really excited about her. I think she's going to run a really big race."

River Nore is also trying the grass. She won the seven-furlong Fury Stakes in May before finishing far back in the Woodbine Oaks and the Bison City Stakes.