Late-running Terminally Handsom remains one to watch at Horseshoe Indianapolis

Some horses need to be asked; Terminally Handsom decides for himself.

Owner Chris Walsh affectionately calls the four-year-old Indiana-bred gelding “the Energizer Bunny” because he loves to let the field get ahead before he makes his move.

“He only runs as hard as he needs to catch the field,” Walsh said. “You can’t make him run unless he wants to.”

It’s a running style that keeps fans watching until the very end. While others battle for that early lead, Terminally Handsom patiently waits before he unleashes his late kick, proving time and time again that the race isn’t won in the opening stages, it’s won in the stretch.

Terminally Handsom recently captured a Horseshoe Indianapolis allowance victory July 9. The son of Isotherm from Walsh’s mare Serena’s Hope followed that up with another allowance victory Wednesday, adding to an already impressive resume that includes four career wins, two seconds, and four thirds from only 22 starts, along with nearly $200,000 in career earnings and a career best 92 Equibase Speed Figure.

The 2026 campaign for Terminally Handsom has been equally consistent, producing two wins, one second, and one third in four starts to kick off the 2026 season, while earning more than $61,000, obviously highlighted by those allowance victories.

Success at Horseshoe Indianapolis runs in the family. Terminally Handsom is a third-generation runner for the Walshs, following in the footsteps of his dam, Serena’s Hope, who won four of 16 starts, and his granddam, Serena’s Reward, who captured five victories in only 15 starts for the family.

When the field turns for home, don’t be surprised to see “Handsom” still trailing in the back. Owners Chris and Alan Walsh of Brown County, Ind., and trainer Tianna Richardville know better than anyone, that’s exactly where he likes to be before deciding it’s finally time to kick it into gear and finish hard.

Terminally Handsom may have a mind of his own, but when the real running begins, he’s exactly where he wants to be. That’s often when the rest of the field realizes the race isn’t close to over yet, battling “Handsom’s” amazing closing speed for the finish.

Whether he’s rallying from the back of the pack or keeping fans on the edge of their seats, Terminally Handsom continues to prove that patience, and a little bit of personality, can be a winning combination on the track. 

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