BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC PREVIEW – SAT. OCT. 25 – CHAMPS ELYSEES

British Horse Champs Elysees 25/1 Odds Long Shot to Take Breeder Cup

Champs Elysees

Trainer Bobby Frankel has decided to take a shot with five year-old turf specialist Champs Elysees in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the thoroughbred a 15/1 long shot to win this year’s Breeders’ Cup.

Bet the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic Championship

Champs Elysees is coming off a third-place showing in the Grade 1 Pattison Canadian International Stakes on October 4 at Woodbine. Prior to this, the horse won in the Northern Dancer Turf Stakes also at Woodbine, making a strong move down the stretch.

Despite doing his best work on turf, Champs Elysees does have experience on the synthetic surface. He closed well once again in finishing third to Heatseeker in the Santa Anita Handicap in March.

Supporters are quick to note that Champs Elysees has world-class pedigree. Sire Danehill has been tops in Australia, France, Ireland, England and Hong Kong while producing 344 stakes winners, 25 champions, and last year’s European Horse of the Year. Dam Hasili was Broodmare of the Year in England in 2006 and all six of her racing foals are graded or group winners.

On Saturday, Champs Elysees will be running with blinkers for the first time. “I put the blinkers on him for this and he’ll run in them Saturday,” said Frankel. “I like the way he responded to them here, and I think they can move him up. He’s not usually a good workhorse; he’s usually lazy in the mornings. But he likes this track and he could run good.”

With bettors likely focusing on some of the other big-name entries, an overlooked Champs Elysees could offer value on Saturday. This is a horse with good bloodlines, experience on the surface, a proven ability to close over the required distance, and top three finishes in 15 of 19 career starts.