2011 North Dakota Futurity
Family Ties
Lakota Bell rings in a Futurity victory for the Herman Family
The old expression says that “father knows best”. Over the years, that has been lost in some circles but it sure applied in the winner’s circle at Chippewa Downs on July 2nd.
Robert “Butch” Herman, the owner of North Dakota Futurity winner Lakota Bell, wore his summer sweat well. Decked out in his black outrider’s helmet and blue jeans, he appeared to be a man sent through the emotional wringer. But when you consider the fact that he just saw his son train his chestnut filly to victory, while yet another son booted her home in smashing fashion, you can see why it might be emotional to come together and win the biggest race in their careers.
“That’s what it’s all about, all family,” said co-trainer Bob Herman in the barn following the race. “Dad liked the horse from the start and called (Breeder Lee Harsche) up and said ‘send me pictures’ when she was younger.” Before long the filly was in the family barn and little did Herman know that those pictures would lead to winner’s circle photographs.
Butch Herman’s faith in the horse continued and the seeds of his picture perfect plan were planted when it was announced over the winter that the North Dakota Futurity would be run over the family’s home track in Belcourt. The month of June was a proving ground for the chestnut filly by Prospect Feature. Following a June 5th workout she made her racing debut on Father’s Day weekend and finished a close third in a two furlong sprint. A week later, she was wheeled back in the Bet American Futurity and finished an improved second in a short field of four. One thing was evident; she was a quality animal with speed.
“I knew she’d be tough, but she had to get in front because she’s real flighty. She’s held up around the track and done well,” Bob Herman said. “I had all kinds of confidence in her. I knew if she had speed, she’d stay.”
On July 2nd at Chippewa Downs, the speed stayed. The undercard races were filled with wire-to-wire efforts, so getting to the lead from the five-hole in a field of eight was not only dicey, but necessary, especially at the Futurity’s 4 ½ furlong distance.
In a race filled with several maidens and unraced charges, Lakota Bell was a 7-2 fourth choice. The seasonal rival she conquered twice, Lucy’s Lad, was the 5-2 favorite based on excuses encountered in her two starts. Despite what the tote-board said, the respect among the horsemen lied with Dave Bernhardt’s Canterbury invaders Patton’s War Jet and Four Below, 3-1 and 7-2 respectively.
“Lakota Bell was picked to win on the card at 8-5, then Bernhardt comes with two from Canterbury and you don’t really know,” Butch Herman said. “I didn’t expect much, “ jockey Jeremy Herman recalled. “I thought the Canterbury horses would be tough so I figured let’s run her like we did in other spots and let’s see where that gets us.”
Translation, the break would determine the winner of this $12,800 race. And we now know for whom the bell tolled.
“She felt great, she popped out, and went from there,” Herman said, explaining the start. Butch Herman added, “When I seen him and that filly leading on the backstretch I knew she’d go wire to wire. My son said he felt best around the first turn and kept going.”
Lakota Bell cruised on, sprinting away from her classmates including Arlie Roller and Wayne Slater’s Skippy T and Scott Horst’s Picket Pounder. The Canterbury shippers were toiling in mid-pack, possibly unresponsive to the Big City-to-Bull Ring curveball.
On the backstretch run, the pieces fell into place and Lakota Bell increased her lead on the field. But as confident as the horse seemed, her jockey wasn’t so sure. “I’ve been riding for years but I was iffy on the backside because I was shaking and choking up,” Jeremy Herman said. “It was crazy, it was a rush,” Bob Herman said as he watched his brother and their horse from the stands. ”Every time you win it’s a rush, like earlier today he rode our horse Jukebox Jane the same way.”
Jeremy Herman rode Lakota Bell the winning way and her flash under the wire four and half lengths in front in :58 2/5 sent off a wave of congratulations throughout Chippewa Downs. “You deserve this one, Butch!” shouted one as the winner’s circle filled up with the Herman Family. “It’s crazy to think about winning this kind of race…” Jeremy said after he dismounted, “…especially when you think about winning it for my dad.”
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