WH Design By Dash, who has been the model of consistency on the Indiana racing circuit over the past six seasons, may make his final start in the 22nd running of the Hoosier Park Classic on Friday.

© Prescott Photograophy

Although it's not with 100 percent certainty, it could be the final time the seven-year-old Indiana sired Quarter Horse steps into a starting gate as he vies for the title in the Hoosier Park Classic at Indiana Grand.

Owned by Julia Martin of Yorktown, Ind. and trained by her husband Paul, WH Design By Dash has been the model of consistency on the Indiana racing circuit over the past six seasons.

The son of Brimmstone has made all 40 of his starts at Indiana Grand, earning in excess of $423,000. A win in the 22nd running of the Hoosier Park Classic will place him in contention for the top spot as Indiana's all-time leading Quarter Horse in earnings, a position that Stinkin Rich just took over following his last win at Indiana Grand.

"Our intent heading into the race is to retire him," said Paul Martin. "This horse loves his job and we can't really give an assessment but we are 75 percent sure we will retire him. If we did bring him back next year, it would just be for the Born Runner Classic. That race seems to really fit him. We have talked as a family and at some point in time we know he will have to retire."

Retirement won't be a bad thing for the big chestnut. WH Design By Dash will go to Martin's farm and enjoy his life as a riding horse. If he leaves the horse racing game, he will leave on a high note.

"He is training super right now," added Paul. "In fact, I recently a vet said he's as sound now as he's ever been. I tribute that to how well he is put together and the care he receives."

Paul is talking about Arthur "T-Boy" Andrus, who works for the Martin Stable and pays extra attention to "Dash." "T-Boy" recently noted that, "Dash knows when a race is coming up and he picks up on the little things. I will stop and pull grass on the side of the road for him a few days before a stakes race and he gets four carrots every afternoon."

Both WH Design By Dash and Stinkin Rich will face each other as the favorites in the $84,400 Hoosier Park Classic, which was one of three original stakes races established in 1997 at Hoosier Park during the first season of pari-mutuel Quarter Horse racing in the state.

WH Design By Dash will begin from post five in the race at odds of 2-1 with Rodney Prescott aboard while Stinkin Rich and Shanley Jackson begin at odds of 9-5 from post eight. Both veteran geldings come into the race off wins.

WH Design By Dash is currently two for two in 2018, winning the $85,000 Born Runner Stakes in May followed by a win in the $87,000 Bob Woodard Stakes in late August. He has earned 13 career trips to the winner's circle with 30 of his 40 career starts as top three finishes.

Stinkin Rich has won the Hoosier Park Classic the past two years and will be seeking his third straight title. Owned and bred by Carolyn Bruce of Lawrenceburg, Ind., the One Famous Eagle gelding recently took over as the state's all-time leading Quarter Horse in earnings with more than $456,000 during his career. The previous leader for earnings was Pistolpacking Pepsi, who garnered a little more than $451,000 in earnings before his retirement last fall.

The entire field of the Hoosier Park Classic, in post-position order with jockey and odds includes:

1. HH Kentucky Krome (Juan Galvan, 30-1)
2. Im the Captain Now (Fernando Fonseca-Soto, 30-1)
3. Beach Cartel (Cerapio Figueroa, 6-1)
4. Fantastic Six Pack (L.D. Martinez, 12-1)
5. WH Design By Dash (Rodney Prescott, 2-1)
6. WH Kenny G (Jose Beltran, 6-1)
7. First Cucuy (Sergio Ramirez, 20-1)
8. Stinkin Rich (Shanley Jackson, 9-5) Sicario (Santiago Mendez, 12-1)
9. American Purr (Giovani Vazquez-Gomez, 20-1).

Estimated post time for the Hoosier Park Classic, carded as the ninth race, is 5:49 p.m.

"Regardless of what we decide about his future, Dash will get a very happy home," added Paul. "We will let the horse do a lot of the talking about that decision."

The 16th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 7. Racing is conducted Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 2:05 p.m. EST with Saturday racing beginning at 6:05 p.m. EST. A special Thursday racing program will be held Sept. 6 with a 2:05 p.m. post time.

About Indiana Grand Racing & Casino: Indiana Grand Racing & Casino holds multiple awards from industry publications for customer service, entertainment, gaming and dining. Located in Shelbyville, Ind., Indiana Grand features 2,200 of the latest slots and electronic table games in addition to a one-mile dirt race course and a seven-eighths mile turf course offering live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing each year. Simulcast wagering is also offered year-round at Winner's Circle Brewpub & OTB located on the casino floor as well as an off-track betting facility located in Clarksville, Ind. For more information, please visit www.IndianaGrand.com.