by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

The German trained and driven Kaka, with Gerhard Biendl in the bike, was an easy winner of Europe’s oldest trotting derby in Austria, the 126 Ôsterreichisches Traber Derby, on Sunday afternoon (June 26).

The Austrian Derby is for 4-year-old trotters and carries a purse of $100,000. The distance is 1-7/16th miles and is raced at the historic Krieau track, placed very closely to the town center in Vienna.

After two eliminations held a fortnight ago, 12 trotters lined up behind the gate with Alegro with Josef Franzl. Jr. as the 4-10 favorite.
Alegro was soon in command and going into the stretch he seemed to be the strongest one. However, under pressure from Sakima with Rudolf Haller and Kaka with Gerhard Biendl, Alegro lost his gait and was disqualified and placed last.

Kaka won by a length in 2:03.2 (mile rate) and got the winner’s check of $50.000.

He is sired by the German trotter November — he by Buvetier d’Aunou. The dam is the Austrian mare Elegance Real, who is sired by Dale Qui, an Austrian trotter sired by Proven Freight, he by Hickory Smoke. For many years Proven Freight was the champion stallion in Austria.

In Sweden, the 5-year-old trotter I Won’t Dance (sired by Angus Hall) posted his first victory this year in the Kalmarsund Pokal at Kalmar.

I Won’t Dance is trained by Stig H. Johansson and had Erik Adielsson in the bike. He won in 1:54.3f and with the winner’s purse of $30,000 he is now close to $800,000 lifetime.