'Patty' gets new bit, noseband

Wacky Patty has had a makeover for Friday night's $75,000 Chargedupsycamore, a seven-furlong race at Delta Downs that will serve as the track's prep for the $250,000 Delta Princess on Dec. 5.

The Chargedupsycamore, to be run around two turns, drew a field of five 2-year-old fillies. Others in the race are America America, Crypto's Best, Blondz Away, and Miss Cortina.

Wacky Patty, who earlier this year had been considered for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, is coming off a shocking defeat. A Grade 3 winner of 3 of 5 starts, Wacky Patty finished fourth as the 1-5 favorite in the $40,000 Delta Miss at Louisiana Downs.

"I'm just going to throw that last race out," said Cole Norman, who trains Wacky Patty for the partnership of Turf Express, Debruycker, and Jacob.

"We are going to change equipment. She displaced [her palate] last time and we're going to use some different equipment to keep her from displacing. She'll have a different bit."

Norman will also outfit Wacky Patty with a different noseband, a figure eight. The figure eight keeps a horse's mouth closed, helping to properly hold a bit in place. Wacky Patty has trained in the new equipment, and worked four furlongs in a bullet 46 seconds Oct. 18 at Louisiana Downs.

Norman, who believes the two turns will suit Wacky Patty, has given the mount to Jamie Theriot.

America America, who has made 14 starts since April, hasmore two-turn experience than her rivals and will be moving back to dirt Friday. The last time she raced on the main track, she finished second in a stakes race in Canada. America America started her career at Gulfstream Park and has since made starts in Germany, Great Britain, Canada, Kentucky, and New York. She is trained by Franck Mourier and will be ridden by Guy Smith.

Crypto's Best also returns to dirt Friday. In her last race on the main track, she was third in the Grade 3 Arlington-Washington Lassie at Arlington Park. Trainer Mark Thompson has given the mount to Tim Doocy.

Kirk LeBlanc will ride Blondz Away, who finished fifth in the Arlington Washington Lassie after a troubled start. Before that race, she finished third Aug. 30 in the $100,000 La Senorita at a mile on turf at Retama Park. She is trained by Keith Desormeaux.