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Champs Elysees looks to turn things around in United Nations When CHAMPS ELYSEES (GB) (Danehill) arrived in Bobby Frankel's California barn last fall, the future looked bright for the Juddmonte Farms homebred. Hopes were high that he would follow in the exalted footsteps of his siblings -- the outstanding Dansili (GB), Banks Hill (GB), Intercontinental (GB) and Cacique (Ire). But after winning only once in five starts on the West Coast, Champs Elysees has ventured east in hopes of better fortune. His first test since enjoying the change of scenery will come in Saturday's $750,000 United Nations S. (G1) at Monmouth. A Group 3 winner in France, Champs Elysees scored his only stateside victory in the San Marcos S. (G2) in January. Two starts back, the five-year-old was just outdueled in the Jim Murray Memorial H. (G2), and last time out, he was a disappointing sixth in the Charles Whittingham Memorial H. (G1). Afterward, Champs Elysees was found to be sick. On Saturday, he will try to get back on track in this 1 3/8-mile turf affair. Ramon Dominguez, who guided Champs Elysees in his near-miss effort in the Jim Murray, will be back aboard. Other top contenders in the nine-horse field include Champs Elysees' uncoupled stablemate SUDAN (Ire) (Peintre Celebre), an Italian Group 1 hero who is coming off a front-running romp in the Golden Gate Fields Turf S. (G3); W.L. McKnight H. (G2) victor PRESIOUS PASSION (Royal Anthem); and BUDDY'S HUMOR (Distorted Humor), a multiple stakes winner over the local course. Monmouth will host two other stakes on United Nations Day. In the $300,000 Salvator Mile H. (G3), defending champion GOTTCHA GOLD (Coronado's Quest) will shoulder the top weight of 121 pounds as he tries to fend off five challengers. The Eddie Plesa Jr. charge has been in fine form recently, rolling to a convincing score in the Skip Away H. (G3) and just tiring late when a close second in the 1 3/16-mile Pimlico Special H. (G1). Gottcha Gold will enjoy cutting back to a flat mile in this spot. INDY WIND (A.P. Indy), who was third in last year's Salvator Mile, is exiting a career-best performance in the Frisk Me Now S., while Grade 2 veteran NOTIONAL (In Excess [Ire]) will attempt to recover his old sparkle for new trainer Mark Hennig. Ten sprinters will scramble six furlongs in the $75,000 Mr. Prospector S. New Jersey-bred star JOEY P. (Close Up) will grapple with the undefeated New York-bred FEROCIOUS FIRES (Lite the Fuse) from the Tony Dutrow barn; Richard Dutrow's reformed rabbit MR. UMPHREY (Jules); and Grade 3 winner VICARAGE (Vicar), who will return from a year-long layoff for Todd Pletcher.
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