by Ryan Hubbard, Hoosier Park publicity department

Anderson, IN — Under a torrential rain and with a less than favorable post position, Rocket Fuel topped the field in the $12,000 Jerry Landess Final on Wednesday, April 25, at Hoosier Park.

Terri Kelley photo

Rocket Fuel was an easy 1:56.1 winner for Jay Cross.

With Jay Cross in the sulky, Rocket Fuel held off a late charge by Camityourinmyway and Don Irvine, Jr. by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:56.1. The victory is the third consecutive for Rocket Fuel, who swept the series in dominating fashion.

“Drawing the outside post, I wanted to try and get away in the middle somewhere,” said Cross. “It was fortunate to get to the pocket seat. It worked out real well.”

Js Finance and Applebee’s Driver of the Week Trace Tetrick showed early speed from the middle of the pack. Rocket Fuel and Cross picked up the pocket seat from the far outside. Race favorite Kentucky Kindness and Josh Sutton suffered a break entering the first turn. Js Finance and Tetrick led the field to an opening quarter-mile of :27.3.

Rocket Fuel and Cross made their move just past the half, kicking to the outside and excelerating past Js Finance and Tetrick. The move relegated Js Finance to the second position. Entering the stretch, Rocket Fuel and Cross held a small advantage over Camityourinmyway and Irvine, who made a sweeping move on the outside to become a late closing threat.

“I didn’t want to get trapped so I made the move down the backside,” said Cross. “I waited awhile, but with the purse size I didn’t want to wait too long.”

As the field of 3-year-old Indiana-bred colts and geldings hit the stretch, Rocket Fuel and Cross maintained their advantage, with Camityourinmyway beginning to challenge from the outside. Monroe’sflying Jet and Mike Peterson showed excellent closing speed, but were too far back to contest the winners and wound up third. Rocket Fuel, with a light tap from Cross, pulled away from the field at the wire.

“He’s got some gears we haven’t seen yet,” added Cross. “He relaxes good on the front, since he’s only had three starts. He’ll learn to be a good race horse.”

Rocket Fuel returned $5.80, $4.80, and $3.20. Alvin Miller trains the 3-year-old gray gelding and Phil Harts of Amboy, Ind. owns. Rocket Fuel, in just his rookie season, is undefeated in three starts, earning $11,000.