Rockin On Venus rolls in Hoosier Cup

The Hoosier Cup returned following a ten-year hiatus on Sunday evening at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, coming back in 2021 as an Indiana-sired event for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings. Favoritism fell onto elimination winner Rockin On Venus, as he and driver Mike Oosting looked for their third consecutive victory on the season.

Oosting would be aggressive with Rockin On Venus early, leaving from post four before briefly relinquishing command to Whiskey Wizzard and Brandon Bates through the opening quarter in 26.2. Oosting then utilized a give-and-go move off the first turn, quickly retaking the lead up the backstretch. After regaining the lead, pressure was quickly applied in the form of fellow elimination winner Joelsyy Hanover and Dexter Dunn, who were first-up at the half in 55.4. The two continued their battle around the far turn as the pace again quickened, with Rockin On Venus beginning to regain control at three quarters in 1:23.2.

In the stretch, Rockin On Venus shrugged off the challenge of Joelsyy Hanover for good and gained separation on the field. Utilizing a 26.4 final quarter, Rockin On Venus powered away from the field by 2 3/4 lengths on the wire, taking the Hoosier Cup victory in 1:50.1. Joelsyy Hanover fought valiantly to hold on to the second position, and 62-1 long shot Nick’s Monster and David Miller got up for third.

The Hoosier Cup was the sixth career victory by the Emerald Highlands Farm homebred son of Rockin Image. After making just two starts at age two, the Kelly O’Donnell-trained Rockin On Venus has won six of nine in 2021 and boasts earnings of $96,125 this year.

“He really is an extremely talented colt,” O’Donnell said. “He trained down great all year, and he’s just so easy on himself. He always wants to do more and is eager to please; a colt like this really makes my job pretty easy.”