Delta Downs: Wacky Patty unlikely to start

If Wacky Patty, a Grade 3-winning sprinter, starts in Friday's $50,000 Green Oaks at Delta Downs, she is the horse to beat. But Mark Cornett, one of her owners, said he plans to instead run her in the Grade 3, $100,000 Forward Gal at Gulfstream Park on March 13.

In the long term, Wacky Patty is a hopeful for the Grade 1 Prioress at Belmont Park in July.

Wacky Patty last raced at Gulfstream, where she finished second to Silent Sighs in the $250,000 Sunshine Millions Oaks on Jan. 24. Wacky Patty is part of a Turf Express-owned entry in the Green Oaks, a seven-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies; Royal Pet is the other half. Carlos Gonzalez has been named on both horses by trainer Cole Norman.

Royal Pet will make her two-turn debut in the Green Oaks. She has placed in three stakes in her eight-race career and has finished off the board just once. Royal Pet has good speed and figures to set the pace in the Green Oaks.

Simply Jolie will also be making her two-turn debut Friday. She is a stakes winner at Delta, having captured the $40,000 Delta Belle over five furlongs Nov. 28. Trainer Chad Hassenpflug has given the mount to C.J. Woodley.