The new Boss of Asbury Park has four legs. And he couldn’t be more eager to show them off, striding through the rapidly improving downtown shopping district, eyes bright with excitement.

Jake — his show name is Ch. Classic Field Of Dreams — is a show-stopper at this fast changing beach resort. He’s a champion greyhound who hangs out all day at Asbury Bark (www.asburybark.com), the pretty corner pet emporium belonging to his human co-owners, Jim Modica and Jeff Winton. You can’t enter Asbury Bark without running into Jake, or noticing the scads of ribbons and show photos proudly displayed.

Jake made headlines recently when he rose through the ranks at the prestigious Westminster Dog Show, giving him the honor of showing against some of the most notable dogs in the United States. Click www.westminsterkennelclub.org, then select "Videos" and "2008 Breed Judging Videos."

Jake, #10, won the Greyhound division and went on to the Hound group, where the competition was tough. The winner, a Beagle named Uno, went on to be named Best In Show.

But to the folks of Asbury Park, Jake’s the real champion. And according to Modica, the greyhound has become a local star. Folks stop on the street to pet and admire him — Jake’s favorite thing is to hang out (weather permitting) while Jim and Jeff enjoy the various outdoor eateries near the shop.

Jake is three years old, so there are plenty of days in the show ring ahead. But before that, he has to make the daily rounds in this resort town and hit the park with his playmates. Like the city’s other Boss, Jake stays close to his roots — and the people who knew him before his doggie star rose to the top.