Woodbine: Fifty Proof scratched from Sky Classic

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Fifty Proof, the morning-line second choice at 2-1, has been scratched from Sunday's Sky Classic Stakes at Woodbine.

"He's sound, but he had a little filling in one leg," said trainer Ian Black. "I really can't take him over there that way; I don't want to take any chances."

Fifty Proof's defection leaves the Grade 2, $250,000 Sky Classic with a field of just five.

The longshot Kara’s Orientation figures to lead the way. Kara’s Orientation pressed the pace before taking control in the stretch en route to a three-length tally in a first-level allowance over nine furlongs July 23.

Musketier, a durable 9-year-old trained by Roger Attfield, captured two stakes at 1 1/2 miles this year, the Grade 2 Elkhorn at Keeneland and the Grade 3 Singspiel here. Attfield said the turnback in distance to nine furlongs in the July 24 Nijinsky was disadvantageous to Musketier, who finished fifth.

“His race was fine, but it was just too short for him,” said Attfield. “I think [1 1/4 miles] will be better for him, but I’d rather go a mile and a half. He seems to be doing great. He’s a real competitor.”

New York shipper Grassy was scratched from last Saturday’s Grade 1 Sword Dancer at Saratoga. Grassy was beaten a neck when second the last time that he saw action in the June 26 Singspiel. Trainer Christophe Clement sent him out to take the Grade 2 Red Smith Handicap at Aqueduct last November.

Smart Bid hasn’t been worse than fourth in six starts this year. Trained by Graham Motion, he was a flat fourth last time out in the Grade 1 Eddie Read at Del Mar. Hailstone checked in third in the Nijinsky after running fifth in the King Edward and second in the Grade 2 Connaught Cup.