Highway Boss targets Zuma Beach

CYPRESS, Calif. – Though she is based most of the year in Arizona, trainer Molly Pearson typically keeps 14 to 15 runners in California from April to October. Those include Thursday allowance contender Winning Vision and a 2-year-old who could be her first Breeders’ Cup starter.

Highway Boss, sixth with a compromised trip Sept. 3 in the Oak Tree Juvenile Turf at Del Mar, will aim for the Zuma Beach on Oct. 5 at Santa Anita.

“He’s an improving horse and did not have the greatest of trips,” Pearson said.

Highway Boss lost ground and missed by 2 1/4 lengths. He had won a $59,515 stakes race in July at Pleasanton. For Pearson, the challenge is keeping Highway Boss fit.

“He’s a terrible work horse; it’s hard to have him in top-notch shape,” Pearson said. “If he runs well [Oct. 5], we’ll look at the Breeders’ Cup.”

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Highway Boss, by Street Boss, has won 2 of 6 starts.