Beulah: Scioto Bootski back against females

GROVE CITY, Ohio - Scioto Bootski, an upset winner over males in the Best of Ohio Sprint Championship two starts ago, heads a full field of 14 Ohio-bred fillies and mares in the $40,000 Scarlet and Gray Handicap.

In the Best of Ohio Sprint, Scioto Bootski dueled outside of heavily favored Ben's Reflection throughout. She wore that rival down late to score a head victory at 32-1 in the six-furlong event. She returned on Oct. 19 and once again dueled throughout, but this time the 5-year-old mare dropped a nose decision in a conditioned allowance event.

Scioto Bootski, who is coupled in the wagering with Mercer's Launch on Sunday, is trained by Albert Palacios for her owner-breeder, Scioto Farm Supply Inc. She sports a career record of 10-4-3 from 22 starts, and has $189,882 in earnings. Hector Rosario Jr. has a return call on Scioto Bootski, who is the

122-pound highweight in the Scarlet and Gray, conceding one to 16 pounds to her 13 rivals.

Scioto Bootski's main threat Sunday may come from the other entry in the field: Gabrieles Princess and Alison's Winner, both trained by Rod Madrigal Sr. Alison's Winner is a three-time stakes winner in 2003 but finished 3 1/2 lengths behind her stablemate in her last start, which came against open allowance company at Thistledown on Sept. 29.

Alison's Winner is a front-running 6-year-old daughter of Pine Bluff and has eight career wins from 21 starts and earnings of $180,736. Daniel Centeno has a return call on Sunday aboard Alison's Winner, who will carry 121 pounds.

Gabrieles Princess, a 4-year-old by Our Emblem, has won 6 of 18 starts and figures to be close to the pace Sunday under Russ Woolsey. She gets in at 120 pounds.