Champs Elysees est un champion dans son début final (aka I love Bable Fish)

Now of course I'm not sure if this is an acurete translation, but since the Champs-Élysées is in France, I thought I would use a French title this one time (And yes I know that Champs was born in England). Anyway which the title says is Champs Elysées is a champion in his final beginning, however there appears that start is the work début in French. I don't know, but what I ment is Champs Elysees is a champion in his final start. That's what he had on Saturday in the Patterson Candian Invitational, with Garett Gomez flying in from California to ride the son of Danehill for his Breeder/Owner Judmonte Farm.

The race unfolded with defending champ Marsh Side setting the early pace, and with the brother of great fillies such as Heat Haze, Intercontential and Arlington Million runner-up Casique sitting mid-pack. As they rounded the final turn it looked like that he would finish his career with his seventh loss in a row, however with the European Jukebox Jury shorting stride he was able to keep the title for the Americans (yes I know his owner is a Saudi and he was born in England, but his trainer and jockey where both US born). Congrats to Garrett, Judmonte and especally trainer Bobby Frankel who sadly is currently battling cancer (no word on what type, just rumors as they've kept it hush hush for personal reasons, which is compleatly understanable). Here is a video of Champs last horrah,





This was actually Judmonte's second Grade/Group 1 win of the day, they won the Champion Stakes in England earlier Saturday. So what is Champs future? Well he's going to Banstead Manor where his brothers Casique and Dansili stand. He comes from a better family then Toussad, and that's saying alot considering she is the dam of Honest Lady, Chester House (RIP, cancer), and Empire Maker (no comment). But Hasili has Heat Haze (the only non Danehill filly I'll mention, and but by a Danzig stallion Green Desert), Intercontential, Ticker Tape and Banks Hill, add in Casique and Dansili (3rd in the BC Mile in 2000). That's some list and not bad for a mare who only made $68,186 in her career.

Also wrapping up his career this weekend was Kiss the Kid, who finished second behind Etched in the Meadowlands Cup, he'll be starting his stud career in Florida next year. Meanwhile the weather here on the East Coast was rain, rain, rain with a Noreaster that came in and totally wiped out several turf stakes races. Also on Saturday, one of my favorite horses Biker Boy won at Belmont and Steppenwolfer finished second to last in a maiden over fences. Now in defence of the 2006 3rd place finisher of the KY Derby it was his first try going steeplechasing, so we'll see how this career change goes for him. I mean McDynamo hated gates which was why he switched to steeplechasing and he turned out to be one of the greatest steeplechasers ever in the US.

Weds. we start breaking down each divideson of the Breeder's Cup.

Line Up
Week One
Weds: Marathon, Turf Mile and "Dirt" Mile
Thurs: F/M Sprint, Sprint and Turf Sprint

Week Two
Weds: Juvenile Fillies Turf and Juvenile Fillies
Thurs: Ladies Classic (Distaff)
Fri: Turf

Week Three
Weds: Juvenile Turf and Juvenile
Thurs: Classic
Friday: Post Positions, final thoughts, and choices

Week Four


Wrap up including articles, aftermath, retirements, and end of the year awards discussion.





Sadly I won't be able to see the Breeder's Cup at all this year due to work, which is why I'm doing such a big preview for these races. Also check out the poll that is going on right now, it will be open until November 5, 2009 which is the day before the BC.