Coach Chad Brown has received two of the final 5 editions of the $200,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct. He has a robust likelihood to choose up a 3rd win when the 2026 version of the 1 1/8-mile Street to the Kentucky Derby Introduced by Woodford Reserve qualifier is contested on Friday.
Brown has entered two horses within the Withers, and each loom as win contenders. My best choice is #2 Schoolyardsuperman. After failing to win his first two begins sprinting, the grey or roan colt stretched out for a one-mile maiden particular weight race on Dec. 6 at Aqueduct. The outcome? A formidable win.
“Spectacular” is arguably an understatement. Schoolyardsuperman was a lot the perfect. He vied for the lead by means of quarter-mile fractions of :23.48 and :47.15, opened up a two-length benefit with a quarter-mile remaining, after which blazed his last two eighths of a mile in :11.99 and :12.63 to triumph by 5 ¾ lengths within the fast time of 1:36.68.
Schoolyardsuperman’s quick end suggests he’ll deal with stretching out to 1 1/8 miles within the Withers. It’s additionally encouraging to notice he’s drawn publish 2; with solely the deep-closing #1 Grittiness drawn to his inside, Schoolyardsuperman shouldn’t have any issue shifting to the rail for a ground-saving journey.
We suggest betting Schoolyardsuperman on prime of unique wagers just like the exacta (which requires choosing the highest two finishers so as) and trifecta (choosing the highest three finishers).
The second Brown trainee, #3 Ottinho, is a logical selection for second place. He debuted in a one-mile maiden particular weight in November at Aqueduct, ending third by two lengths in opposition to Enforced Agenda, who returned to complete third in Aqueduct’s Jerome Stakes on the Street to the Kentucky Derby.
Ottinho’s second begin got here in a 1 1/8-mile maiden particular weight at Aqueduct. Whether or not benefiting from expertise or the longer distance, Ottinho improved meaningfully, main virtually all the way in which to prevail by a hard-fought head.
The actual fact Ottinho has already received over the observe and distance of the Withers is interesting. He has a robust likelihood to issue even whereas stepping up in opposition to more durable competitors.
For third place, we’ll use Grittiness, who completed fifth within the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes on the Street to the Kentucky Derby; #7 Fourth and One, a flashy maiden winner; and #5 Mailata, who exits a runaway win within the Parx Future Stars Stakes.
Wagering Technique on a $10 Funds
$10 exacta: 2 with 3
What to say on the betting window: Aqueduct, ninth race, $10 exacta 2 with 3
Wagering Technique on a $30 Funds
$15 exacta: 2 with 3
What to say on the betting window: Aqueduct, ninth race, $15 exacta 2 with 3
$5 trifecta: 2 with 3 with 1,5,7 (complete price: $15)
What to say on the betting window: Aqueduct, ninth race, $5 trifecta 2 with 3 with 1,5,7
Good luck, and benefit from the race!
