Juddmonte Farms' homebred Champs Elysees charged down the middle of the E.P. Taylor Turf Course stretch to nail Jukebox Jury near the wire and win a thrilling renewal of Canada's richest horse race, the Grade 1, $2 million Pattison Canadian International Saturday at Woodbine Racetrack
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With jockey Garrett Gomez riding furiously on the six-year-old son of Danehill-Hasili, Champs Elysees, who had been placed in seventh throughout the mile and one-half classic, came flying on the far outside and was able to get up in the final jumps for a half-length score.
It was Juddmonte's third win in Canada's richest horse race, after taking the 1990 edition with French Glory and the 1994 renewal with stakes record-holder Raintrap in 1994. But it was the first win for Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel and Gomez.
Immediately after the race, Garrett O'Rourke, Juddmonte Farms manager in Lexington, Kentucky, confirmed that Champs Elysees will be retired to their stud, Banstead Manor in England, rather than go on to the Breeders' Cup Turf, November 7 at Santa Anita, which today's victory offered, as a Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' race.
Defending champion Marsh Side was immediately hustled to the front by jockey Javier Castellano in this 72nd edition (52nd since it became a turf race in 1958) of the International, taking the field of eight through leisurely fractions of :26.02, :51.35 and 1:15.76 over the 'firm' going.
He was still galloping along on the lead after the mile was reached in 1:39.74. But, with two furlongs remaining, after a mile and one-quarter time of 2:04.08, Marsh Side began to fade slightly after being challenged.
Irish-bred Jukebox Jury, the only three-year-old in the race, took dead aim on the leader, while being chased himself by Buccellati in mid-stretch. Jukebox Jury and jockey Royston Ffrench got to the front and opened up a length, but could not fend off the late burst by Champs Elysees, who became the seventh British-bred to win the race and the first since the venerable Collier Hill in 2006. Buccellati wound up third, with Marsh Side fourth.
"As soon as we headed for the backside, they all started quickening a little bit," said Gomez. "Champs Elysees quickened for a minute, and I thought, 'Let them go.' I'll just sit in here and wait on him, give him some confidence and see what happens.
"I just try to ride him with all the confidence in the world. He is probably one of the most talented horses I have seen. But he finds ways to get himself beaten. He seems to never end up in the winner's circle on the big days. I am glad to see him get a big one."
Champs Elysees was also making the Pattison his first win in seven starts this year. However, he'd come into the race off a troubled journey in the Northern Dancer here on September 20. Gomez, who said afterwards he thought he would have won the race, had to check his horse on the rail in mid-stretch after being herded by Marsh Side and Quijano.
Ultimately, Marsh Side was disqualified and placed fourth, Champs Elysees was moved to third, Quijano to second and Just as Well to the top spot. All four renewed their rivalry in the Pattison on Saturday.
With earnings of over $1.7 million coming into the Pattison, Champs Elysees pocketed another $1.2 million for the win. Last year, he won three of nine starts, including the Grade 1 Hollywood Turf Cup and had finished third to Marsh Side in the Pattison.
"It makes it all the sweeter (that his last start is a win)," said O'Rourke. "And to go out on such a huge win like this, is obviously a huge boost to his stallion career as well. He deserves it. He has been a tremendous servant. He is very game, he is very talented."
Champs Elysees, who is a full brother to Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf winners Banks Hill and Intercontinental, became the 21st favourite to win the International since 1958, but the first since Sulamani in 2004.
The lukewarm 5-2 choice returned $7.20, $4 and $3, combining with Jukebox Jury ($5.40, $3.20) for a $38.60 (1-7) exactor. A 1-7-6 (Buccellati, $5.10) triactor fashioned a $245.30 payoff, while a $1 Superfecta [1-7-6-5 (Marsh Side)] was worth only $436.
(WEG)