Paradise's Boss Wins Meadow Brook Hurdle

Paradise's Boss registered a 34-1 upset Sunday with a five-length win in the $80,350 Meadow Brook Hurdle (NSA-II) for novice jumpers at Belmont Park.

Ridden by Xavier Aizpuru for trainer Jack Fisher and owner Mrs. Henry F. Stern, Paradise's Boss, carrying 157 pounds, raced closely in the 2 1/2-mile event, responded when roused, and pulled away on the flat ground. The 5-year-old bay gelding by Thats Our Buck faded in his last start against a similar group.

Aizpuru engineered a perfect stalking trip, staying out of a scramble at the front of the big field for about two miles before asking his horse on the sweeping final turn. The race was over at the top of the stretch, save for leaps over the final two fences, and Paradise's Boss won easily.

The winner covered the distance in a course record 4:33.95.

Paradise's Boss was a favorite to win steeplechasing's Triple Crown but he finished a dull third in the opener, the Temple Gwathmey (NSA-II) in April. He backed that up with an even duller ninth in the National Hunt Cup (NSA-II) on Preakness Day.

"He was too close up in his race two starts back, too far back in his last race and today, he was in a perfect spot," Fisher said.

The 7-year-old mare Class Yankee, a 24-1 shot, finished second, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of 8-5 favorite Mixed Up, a recent grade II winner. Fourteen started with the scratches of Charlie Whiskey and Professor Maxwell.

Paradise's Boss spotted the runner-up 14 pounds and carried three more than the favorite.

"He'll try his level best for you," said Aizpuru of the winner. "If his best isn't good enough on the day, it's a very good horse that beats him."

(Chart, Equibase)