Rotterdam Newest Winner For Mendelssohn

Siena Farm homebred Rotterdam (2c Mendelssohn x Artemis, by Empire Maker) became Mendelssohn’s newest winner on Saturday with a maiden victory at Gulfstream Park.

The colt settled near the back of the pack nearly four lengths off the leader for much of the race two paths off the rail as he bided his time in the one mile turf race. He went even wider as they approached the turn and he needed room, quickly finding it and advancing through the field.

In the stretch, Rotterdam came running up the outside to win by three quarters of a length with the third placed runner nearly four lengths behind him at the end.

Trained by Ralph Nicks, Rotterdam is out of the Grade III placed Artemis, who now has two winners from three to race. The mare is a granddaughter of Grade I winner La Gueriere, who produced Grade I winner Icon Project and the dam of Mendelssohn’s studmate Munnings.

Rotterdam’s win puts Mendelssohn fifth on the freshman sire list by winners with 21. The stallion also has five stakes performers, which puts him sixth best on the list in that category.