Stein off to quick start to training career

It would be hard to get off to a better start than trainer Joshua Stein.

The 26-year-old nephew of Roger Stein took over his uncle’s stable after saddling Cleverly Beverly for a maiden win at Pleasanton on July 6 as the last horse to run officially in his uncle’s name.

Cleverly Beverly made her first start for Joshua Stein last Thursday and brought him his first victory as a trainer, defeating Star Mist, who had beaten her June 15. Also in the field was Giant Journey, who had defeated Cleverly Beverly in a May 23 sprint.

“I was on Cloud Nine,” Joshua Stein said of Cleverly Beverly’s win at Pleasanton, “and on Cloud 10 or 11 today,” he added in the winner’s circle Thursday.

Stein also went to the winner’s circle with Aliza’s Dream on Friday to make it a very good week after Pocket Prince had run sixth during opening weekend as Stein’s first official starter.

Stein, like many trainers, is part of a family business, only in his case, it’s his uncle’s business. His father, though, did serve as an assistant for his brother and later owned some horses after creating a delivery business.

“I remember coming to my uncle’s barn every day, running around and playing, doing things I’d never do now,” he said. “I remember going into Southern Truce’s stall and sleeping on her.”

Stein loved his time at his uncle’s barn and loved going to the races.

“I went with my uncle every single day when I started,” Stein said. “He would bring me to the races, and I’d be watching all the races. When I went to races, my uncle would have his guests ask me for picks.”

With his keen eye, Stein picked a number of winners just by watching horses in the paddock.

Stein enjoyed being around horses and being in his uncle’s barn, and with his uncle’s blessing, he sought out a job with trainer John Sadler.

“What could be better than working for John Sadler?” Stein said. “He has a lot of top horses. I took in a lot from him. I saw how he runs his barn. It’s how I believe it’s supposed to be done.”

In addition to working at the track, Stein worked with Sadler’s assistant, Larry Benavidez, at a farm for more than a year to learn more. He was with Sadler for three years when his uncle’s health deteriorated to the point where he couldn’t really train or get to the barn because of a debilitating nerve problem. With his uncle stabling more horses in Northern California, Stein never hesitated in coming to his assistance.

“I’d drop everything to do things for him,” Stein said. “It was a winning move for both of us. How could you want anything more than family to take care of things for you?”

Just as his uncle endorsed his joining Sadler’s barn, Sadler told Stein the move would be a great learning experience for him. And it has been, for both him and his uncle.

“We talk every day,” said Stein, who has 12 horses in his barn at Pleasanton, with some new 2-year-olds about to join him. “It’s unfortunate what happened, but who else would you want to learn from? It’s great to be around the horses, great to watch them, great to experience everything.”

Wine Country Debutante

Jerry Hollendorfer and local trainer Steve Specht each entered two 2-year-old fillies in Friday’s $50,000-added Wine Country Debutante at six furlongs. Hollendorfer saddles Seduire, second in the Landaluce Stakes at Santa Anita, and Do the Danse, who won the Juan Gonzalez Stakes at Pleasanton.

Specht sends out Go to the Alter, fifth as the favorite in the Juan Gonzalez, and Idaho invader Can Can Babe, the winner of the C. Christian Futurity against colts at even-money in her debut.

Wedding Blush, a five-length winner in her debut, and Sea Mona, an also-ran in both the Landaluce and Juan Gonzalez, also are entered.

Russell Baze, who rode Do the Danse in her stakes win, will ride Seduire. Baze’s agent, Ray Harris, said the leading jockey was very impressed after working the filly, who earned an 82 Beyer Speed Figure in her debut.

Going to the dogs

“My life is going to the dogs,” trainer Monty Meier said Sunday. But he said it with a smile on his face. His two pooches, Poncho and Lefty (yes, he is a Willie Nelson fan) won their heats in the popular Sunday races for smaller dogs.

“This is a whole lot better than Friday,” he said, referring to a day when two of his runners chased home winners trained by Bill Delia. Delia entered three horses Friday and went to the winner’s circle each time.

While Delia had his picture taken with Khun Dots Varon, Meier settled for second with the favored Too Many Rules. While Delia posed with the favored Uncharted Course in the next race, Meier had the third-place finisher, Red Globe.

“Delia’s always had my number,” said Meier, who joked that he wished Delia had a dog so he could turn the tables on him.

Weekend stakes

Defending champion Ain’t No Other heads a list of eight nominees for Saturday’s $50,000-added Jess Jackson Owners’ Handicap.

Other stakes winners nominated are A Toast to You, Gallant Son, who would be making his 2014 debut, Moonshine Bay, and Pure Tactics. Marino’s Wild Cat, who has won four straight, including all three races this year, King Kelly, and the maiden They Call Me Mr. P also are nominated to the five-furlong turf race.

A dozen 2-year-olds were nominated for Sunday’s closing-day, $50,000-added Cavonnier Juvenile Stakes at six furlongs. Trainer Jeff Bonde nominated Lucky Fame, third in the Everett Nevin at Pleasanton, and Truely Quick, who won his debut here July 31.