Trainer scores with first career starter

Joshua Stein scored a victory with the first horse he started as a trainer when Cleverly Beverly won a nose decision over favored Starfire Mist in a 1 1/16-mile starter allowance race on the turf at the Sonoma County Fair on Thursday.

In her previous start, Cleverly Beverly ($15) won a $25,000 maiden race as the final starter in the long career of trainer Roger Stein, Joshua’s uncle, who was forced to retire because of a physical problem affecting nerves in his hands and feet.

Joshua Stein, 26, saddled the 4-year-old filly for his uncle at Pleasanton and said, “I was on Cloud Nine after that race, but today I’m on Cloud Ten or Eleven.”

Earlier on the card, Future Dashnon ($2.60) won a three-way photo to capture the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Association Handicap as she tied the track record of 17.430 seconds for 350 yards