by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Muscle Mouse, a 4-year-old mare sired by Muscle Mass won the Austrian Trotting Derby — or as stated in the race program the 131 Ôsterreichisches Traber Derby 2016 — at the Krieau track in Vienna Sunday afternoon (June 19).

Muscle Mouse, driven by Christoph Fischer, came with a late burst to go around long leader Mc Donald Venus (sired by Buss Saw) to win the 1-5/8th mile event. Muscle Mouse was timed in 2:04.4 (mile rate). The purse for the winner was $34,000.

A field of 14 trotters went to post with another mare, Orange Venus (sired by Incredible Hulk), as the heavy favorite. However, Orange Venus was not at her best and finished unplaced.

On the undercard the 5-year-old Italian trotter Stark Bi (sired by Toss Out), driven by Michael Nimczyk, won in a new track record of 1:55.4f.