Herbertson has shot in both divisions of Albany Stakes

Trainer Ari Herbertson will be in an unusual position Saturday at Golden Gate Fields.

Herbertson won last year’s Albany Stakes with the 62-1 Krsto Skye, and if things go perfectly Saturday, Herbertson could end up the winning trainer of three straight runnings of the Albany. For 3-year-olds and up going five furlongs on turf, the $50,000 Albany was split into two eight-horse divisions, and Herbertson has entrants in both of them.

Krsto Skye, who put in a big closing run to win last year’s Albany after being claimed by Herbertson for $8,000, will be joined in the second division (race 9) by the multiple stakes winner Tribal Storm, claimed two starts back by Herbertson for $62,500.

Annie’s Candy, claimed for $25,000 in his last start, is entered by Herbertson in the first division of the Albany (race 7).

Should Annie’s Candy pull the upset in the first division, Herbertson would have a good chance at a sweep with either Tribal Storm or Krsto Skye.

“That would be pretty cool,” Herbertson said of the chance to win another Albany Stakes trophy – or two – for his father, Scott, who owns all three horses.

Tribal Storm and Krsto Skye finished first and fourth in a five-furlong allowance on turf May 18 at Golden Gate. In his first start for the Herbertsons, Tribal Storm ran down Big Champion – whom he will face again Saturday – and won by a head, with Krsto Skye 1 3/4 lengths farther back.

Herbertson says his father made the call to claim Tribal Storm with a plan in mind that begins with the Albany and continues with sprint stakes on the summer fair circuit.

“I’m so thankful to have this horse in the barn,” Herbertson said. “He’s so classy you can do whatever you want with him. I’ve never been around a horse as good as this one.”

Herbertson personally has been a fan of Tribal Storm since last fall when the horse beat the Herbertson-trained Hot Lightning in the Harris Farm Stakes in Fresno.

“This horse blew past my horse like mine was tied to a post,” Herbertson said. “It’s hard not to respect that horse.”

Big Champion will probably set the pace in the second division of the Albany. In the allowance race, he dueled through a 20.94-second opening quarter and a 44.56 half.

In the first division, My Friend Emma turns back from a pacesetting second going a mile on Tapeta in the Grade 3 All American 12 days ago. My Friend Emma has won two of his three starts at five furlongs on turf, including the Jess Jackson at Santa Rosa two years ago.

As for Annie’s Candy, he won a Tapeta sprint last out and has won at five furlongs on turf. Perhaps his best asset is a stalking style that should put him in good position if My Friend Emma, Bay Muzik, and maybe Summersimage get carried away up front.