Starcloud provides trainer with first stakes victory in Game Face

Vicente Stella Stables’ Starcloud ($11.20) registered a front-running victory in Saturday’s $75,000 Game Face at Gulfstream Park, providing trainer Oscar Gonzalez with his first stakes victory in the U.S.

“I’m very happy. This is my first stakes wins in the United States,” said Gonzalez, a native of Venezuela who has been training in South Florida for three years. “I won more than 100 stakes in Venezuela, but this is my first one here.”

Starcloud, who was claimed for $25,000 out of a winning debut at Gulfstream Dec. 29, won for the third time in four starts for her new connections Saturday, running seven furlongs in 1:23.31 to prevail by 1 ¾ lengths over favored Alter Moon in the stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

“She got a good start and ran a great race. I think the distance has helped,” said Gonzalez, whose trainee won her third straight race over the seven-furlong distance.

Ridden by Edgar Perez, the 3-year-old daughter of Backtalk broke alertly from the starting gate to open a clear lead along the backstretch that she would never relinquish. Favored Alter Moon broke a step slow from the starting gate and raced between horses along the backstretch before making a run at the pacesetter on the turn into the homestretch, but the daughter of Alernation proved no match for the winner. Onebrethatatime finished third, 14 ¾ lengths farther back.

Earlier on Saturday’s card, Tudox Expectations ($12.40) captured the $75,000 Roar, a seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds.