Tipsheet: 2026 Withers Stakes

A cast of seven sophomores will run nine panels on the Aqueduct main surface in Friday’s $200,000 Withers S. The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five finishers with qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 structure. 

Withers Stakes Picks

• #2 Schoolyardsuperman
• #3 Ottinho
• #5 Mailata

Withers Stakes Wagers

• $20 win and place #2 Schoolyardsuperman
• $10 exacta box 2-3
• 50-cent trifecta 2,3 with 2,3,5 with all 

Withers Stakes Contenders

#1 GRITTINESS (9-2): Pletcher pupil owns just one placing from four lifetime runs to date, but he ran a fair fifth in the Remsen (G2) in his juvenile finale last time out. The Curlin colt will have the blinkers removed on Friday, but he still seems like something of a reach with Ricardo Santana, Jr. in the irons. 

#2 SCHOOLYARDSUPERMAN (2-1): First of two from the Chad Brown shedrow graduated with authority last time at one mile and will travel two turns for the initial time on this occasion. The Practical Joke colt came home fast in his latest, and I expect him to take another step forward on Friday near the rail with Manny Franco signed on. He is my leading selection. 

#3 OTTINHO (9-5): Half-brother to the exquisite Gun Runner was game in securing a maiden win at the distance in his second lifetime appearance and will get a lot of attention in his stakes bow. The Chad Brown trainee showed nice improvement going two turns last time and has trained well in the interim in advance of his black-type bow. The Three Chimneys homebred inherits the services of Jose Lezcano. 

#4 STAR SWEEPER (20-1): Rock Your World colt was a nice winner in an allowance dash at Parx last time and stretches out in trip on this occasion. The Louis Lindner trainee was sharp in his latest and might be able to handle the distance, but he is a bit too inconsistent at this stage of his development for me to have faith in him. Angel Rodriguez has the mount. 

#5 MAILATA (6-1): Parx invader won as he wanted in his most recent performance and rates a logical chance for trainer Butch Reid. The Maximus Mischief homebred is three-for-three since having blinkers added, and his pedigree suggests that moving to nine panels might be within his scope, as well. The speedy bay will have Mychel Sanchez in for the ride. 

#6 TALK TO ME JIMMY (12-1): Rudy Rodriguez pupil ran off to a nice victory against Empire State-bred foes second time out with blinkers on and will try open and stakes foes in this test. The Modernist colt obviously has ability, but his Brisnet Speed ratings are not imposing, and he seems like something of an outsider in the feature with Ruben Silvera in the saddle. 

#7 FOURTH AND ONE (6-1): Maxfield gelding romped home to a big maiden win on the oval over New York-bred foes last time and rises in class with open company in this endeavor. The $240,000 yearling buy will make his two-turn debut on Saturday and is interesting as a top-three player with Jaime Rodriguez in the silks.