Beulah: Scioto Bootski to carry 123

GROVE CITY, Ohio - Defending champion Scioto Bootski will be the starting highweight and the one to beat when she faces a full field of Ohio-bred fillies and mares in Sunday's $40,000 Scarlet and Gray Handicap.

Scioto Bootski, a 4-year-old daughter of Storm Boot, defeated males in her last local start, the Sept. 14 Honey Jay Stakes.

She has since finished third against males in the Best of Ohio Sprint Championship at Thistledown on Oct. 14 and won a statebred allowance against females at Thistle on Oct. 28.

Scioto Bootski, who is trained by Albert Palacios, will be coupled with the Jeff Williams-trained Mercer's Launch as a Scioto Farm Supply Inc.-owned entry.

Hector Rosario picks up the mount aboard Scioto Bootski in the Scarlet and Gray. Scioto Bootski will carry 123 pounds in the six-furlong Scarlet and Gray and concede from 4 to 13 pounds to her 11 rivals.

Drama's Way is the starting lightweight at 110 pounds but may be a future Ohio star in the making. The 3-year-old daughter of Farma Way won her only career start by a widening 17 1/2 lengths in maiden special weight company at Thistledown, while clocking the six furlongs in a brisk 1:10.44. Greg Miller trains Drama's Way for owner Gerald Silver. Tony Caminita will be in for the mount.

Crypto's Twinjet could be a late threat in the Scarlet and Gray under jockey Ivan Gonzalez. The 3-year-old daughter of Cryptoclearance is a multiple stakes winner who gets in at 119 pounds for Palacios.