Perhaps, but maybe the honors history kid already was taking 5 other APs in science, math, English, foreign language and art, getting As in all of them, and just wasn’t into history. You are making it a binary choice when it is not and, most kids aiming for an elite college are not going into an AP class expecting to get a B. Plus, this thread is about getting into elite colleges, not which course choices are best for kids overall. The bottom line is for an elite college, getting virtually all As with the most rigorous schedule is what is required. A kid likely can explain away one B as trying AP chem when they are a humanities person (or AP lit when they are more mathy) but more than one is unlikely to impress.
That being said, I agree that I would prefer my kids challenge themselves, rather than take the easier class. However, that would also be balanced with stress, other classes, ability in that subject, and what their overall goal was. One of mine took many APs, but none in history because it didn’t interest him. Another took most of the history and lit APs, but only 1 science APs, again due to focus and lack of interest. I don’t think kids have to take every AP offered, especially if it is clear from the start that they aren’t going to ace those classes.