Meet the Contenders: 2024 Withers Stakes
El Grande O (Photo by Coglianese Photography/Credited to Chelsea Durand)
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Withers S. (G3) at Aqueduct. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your Stable Alerts.
Speed Runner breaking his maiden at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#1 Speed Runner ****
Pro: Broke his maiden over the track and 1 1/8-mile distance of the Withers. Trainer Todd Pletcher has won this race twice since 2013.
Con: His career-best 85 Brisnet Speed rating is a little light.
Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#2 Deposition *
Pro: Handled a two-turn configuration when dominating a one-mile and 70-yard maiden special weight at Parx Racing by 4 1/4 lengths.
Con: He’s finished out of the top three in both of his stakes starts.
Lightline wins at Horseshoe Indianapolis (Photo by Coady Photography)
#3 Lightline *****
Pro: Exits a pair of runner-up finishes against tough allowance optional claiming competition at Keeneland and Oaklawn Park.
Con: Needs at least a small step forward from a Brisnet Speed rating perspective.
El Grande O (Photo by Coglianese Photography/Credited to Chelsea Durand)
#4 El Grande O ****
Pro: Two-time stakes winner owns the three highest Brisnet Speed ratings in the Withers field.
Con: A weakening runner-up finish in the one-mile Jerome S. at Aqueduct suggests racing 1 1/8 miles around two turns may stretch the limits of his stamina.
Seminole Chief (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#5 Seminole Chief ***
Pro: Pressed a quick pace on his way to a gritty victory in the FTBOA Florida Sire In Reality S. against Florida-breds at Gulfstream Park.
Con: He’s facing tougher competition while stepping outside the Florida-bred ranks.
Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#6 Society Man **
Pro: Stoutly bred colt closed ground to finish third in a 1 1/8-mile maiden special weight at Aqueduct.
Con: Has yet to win a race.
Mission Beach wins at Del Mar (Photo by Benoit Photography)
#7 Mission Beach ***
Pro: Rallied to win an allowance optional claimer sprinting six furlongs at Laurel Park and has the pedigree to shine over 1 1/8 miles.
Con: Finished fifth and fourth in his first two graded stakes starts.
Uncle Heavy wins at Parx Racing (Photo by Equi-Photo / Credit to Bill Denver)
#8 Uncle Heavy **
Pro: Overcame a slow start to rally and win the one-mile and 70-yard Wait For It S. against Pennsylvania breds at Parx Racing.
Con: The competition will be tougher outside the Pennsylvania-bred ranks.
Khanate wis at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Photography)
#9 Khanate *
Pro: Exits a third-place finish in Aqueduct’s Jerome on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Con: Finished 7 1/2 lengths behind El Grande O in the Jerome and needs improvement to turn the tables.
