Safe Trip tries to turn tables on Discreetly Mine in Amsterdam

SARATOGA, N.Y.– Safe Trip had an unlucky trip when finishing third, slightly more than two lengths behind winner Discreetly Mine, in last month’s Jersey Shore Stakes at Monmouth Park. On Monday, trainer Eddie Kenneally is hoping Safe Trip will get a better trip when the pair square off again at Saratoga in the $150,000 Amsterdam, a 6 1/2-furlong race for 3-year-olds.

Safe Trip broke well enough but quickly dropped to the rear of the pack moments after the start of the six-furlong Jersey Shore. He advanced boldly outside rivals midway down the backstretch to ultimately join the leaders three-wide entering the stretch before gradually succumbing from the effort as well as the late surge by Discreetly Mine.

“He took himself back after the start, which is unusual for this horse,” said Kenneally. “I think it was just a matter of him being uncomfortable with the track the first part of it. Once he got hold of the surface he made a nice run and I thought he ran well for such a lightly raced horse against more seasoned rivals like Discreetly Mine.

Safe Trip breaks from post 8 in a field of 10 drawn for the Grade 2 Amsterdam. Kenneally is hopeful an outside post, a legitimate pace, and the added experience will help Safe Trip turn the tables on Discreetly Mine.

Discreetly Mine, who won his maiden at Saratoga last summer, has started twice since finishing a well-beaten 13th in the Kentucky Derby. Prior to his victory in the Jersey Shore, Discreetly Mine finished second behind D’ Funnybone in the seven-furlong, Grade 2 Woody Stephens. He turned in an eye-catching final prep for the Amsterdam, a bullet half-mile in 46.20 seconds on Tuesday.

“He had to wait for a spot a little bit in the Jersey Shore and when he tipped out he finished really well,” said Todd Pletcher, who trains Discreetly Mine. “That was the first time he backed up to six furlongs since the Spectacular Bid and he handled it well.”

General Maximus, one of two New York-breds in the field along with Make Note, continues to improve and exits a game second-place finish behind the undefeated Friend or Foe in the seven-furlong Mike Lee. He figures to contest the pace along with Essence Hit Man and In Jack’s Memory.