For these rookies, 'a dream come true'

The father-son team of Scott and Ari Herbertson shared Thoroughbred Owners of California Rookies of the Year honors with the 79-year-old Margi Cellucci and college student Justin Nunez.

Scott Herbertson, a former professional poker player from San Ramon, Calif., owns 16 horses: four in Southern California with trainer Michael Pender, three at Golden Gate with John Martin, seven at Golden Gate with Martin’s former assistant Jonathan Wong, and two in the East.

Herbertson owns Pressure Time, who on Feb. 6 gave Wong his first win. Ari Herbertson works in the barn with Wong.

Scott Herbertson grew up in Santa Ynez, Calif., where he helped prepare young horses for sales. He calls owning horses “a dream come true.”

Last year, Herbertson won a $100,000 race with Bench Light at Del Mar, who later ran second in the Del Mar Handicap. Herbertson also won a claiming race with Forbidden City at Ferndale.