June 15 - Although anything can and often does happen in the world of horseracing, favorites are usually chosen because of their proven track record, so when a favorite runs extremely badly in a race, like Champs Elysees did last weekend at Hollywood Park, punters want to know why.

In the case of Champs Elysees who finished six out of seven runners and was the betting favorite for the Charles Whittingham Handicap (Grade 1) last Saturday in Ingelwood California, the answers is simple. He was just sick, as confirmed by his trainer, Bobby Frankel.

'I really hate to make excuses but Champs Elysees turned out to be sick. After the race we had him examined by a top horse vet who conducted a endoscopic exam that revealed that he was suffering from excess mucus. Blood tests showed that he had a high white cell count,' said Frankel.

While plenty of American horseracing fans would have been disappointed and even upset at Champs Elysees' poor performance as the odds-on favorite with 4 - 5 odds, Frankel was just relieved that the thoroughbred's illness was diagnosed and that it wasn't something more serious or sinister.

This week, Champs Elysees has been treated with antibiotics and is expected to make a quick and full recovery. And he needs to, as Frankel is considering whether to enter him in two upcoming Grade 1 turf races - the United Nations at Monmouth on July 5th, and the Man O' War at Belmont Park on July 12th.

Despite his poor showing last weekend, however, Champs Elysees is still considered by horseracing experts and pundits to be one of America's best turf horses. In December last year, he finished second in the Hollywood Turf Cup (Grade 1) and in January this year won the San Marcos (Grade 2) at Santa Anita.