Trainer Chad Brown has claimed victory in two of the most recent five renewals of the $200,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct. He stands a strong prospect to secure a third triumph when the 2026 iteration of this 1 1/8-mile Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve qualifying event takes place this Friday.
Brown has nominated a pair of horses for the Withers, and both appear to be serious contenders for the win. My premier selection is #2 Schoolyardsuperman. Following two unsuccessful attempts in sprint races, the gray or roan colt was stretched out in distance for a one-mile maiden special weight contest on December 6 at Aqueduct. The outcome? A truly remarkable win.
To characterize it as “remarkable” might even be an understatement. Schoolyardsuperman proved overwhelmingly superior. He contended for the lead through quarter-mile splits of :23.48 and :47.15, extended his advantage to two lengths with a quarter-mile remaining, and then closed out his final two eighths of a mile in :11.99 and :12.63 to win by 5 ¾ lengths in a swift time of 1:36.68.
Schoolyardsuperman’s powerful finish implies he will competently handle the increased distance of 1 1/8 miles in the Withers. Furthermore, his drawing of post position 2 is advantageous; with only the late-running #1 Grittiness positioned inside him, Schoolyardsuperman should easily be able to secure a rail position for an economical journey.
We advocate for backing Schoolyardsuperman to lead your exotic wagers, such as the exacta (which requires pinpointing the top two finishers in the correct sequence) and the trifecta (picking the first three in order).
The other entrant from Brown’s stable, #3 Ottinho, presents a logical candidate for the runner-up spot. His inaugural start was in a one-mile maiden special weight race in November at Aqueduct, where he finished third, two lengths behind Enforced Agenda, a horse that subsequently placed third in Aqueduct’s Jerome Stakes as part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series.
Ottinho’s second appearance was in a 1 1/8-mile maiden special weight at Aqueduct. Whether through improved experience or a preference for the longer distance, Ottinho showed considerable progress, maintaining a front-running position for nearly the entire race to secure a hard-fought head victory.
Ottinho’s proven success over the precise course and distance of the Withers is a notable positive. He possesses a strong likelihood of making an impact even as he steps up to face more formidable opposition.
For the show position, we will include Grittiness, who came in fifth in the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes on the Road to the Kentucky Derby; #7 Fourth and One, a striking maiden victor; and #5 Mailata, who is fresh off a dominant win in the Parx Future Stars Stakes.
Betting Strategy for a $10 Budget
$10 exacta: 2 with 3
How to state your wager at the counter: Aqueduct, 9th race, $10 exacta 2 with 3
Betting Strategy for a $30 Budget
$15 exacta: 2 with 3
How to state your wager at the counter: Aqueduct, 9th race, $15 exacta 2 with 3
$5 trifecta: 2 with 3 with 1,5,7 (overall cost: $15)
How to state your wager at the counter: Aqueduct, 9th race, $5 trifecta 2 with 3 with 1,5,7
Best of luck, and may you enjoy the competition!
