Study Guide: 2026 Withers Stakes

Feb 01, 2026 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Schoolyardsuperman breaking his maiden at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

A total of 42 Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification points, split 20-10-6-4-2 among the top five finishers, will be awarded in Friday’s $200,000 Withers S. at Aqueduct.

The 1 1/8-mile Kentucky Derby (G1) prep has drawn a competitive seven-horse field. Let’s check out the full slate of contenders:

Grittiness

#6 Courting wins with #3 Grittiness second, and #5 Stream It third at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 4
Wins: 0
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Repole Stable
Breeder: WinStar Farm
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (87) when finishing fifth in the Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct.
Total Earnings: $28,750

Sire: Curlin
Dam: Coach Rocks
Color: Chestnut

Grittiness made his Road to the Kentucky Derby debut in the 1 1/8-mile Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct, in which he passed a few rivals through the final three furlongs to finish fifth. Even in defeat, he earned a respectable 87 Brisnet Speed rating. The Withers is an easier race, so don’t underestimate Grittiness as a contender for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher.

Schoolyardsuperman

Schoolyardsuperman breaking his maiden at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

Start(s): 3
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Hit The Bid Racing Stable
Breeder: Woods Edge Farm
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Manny Franco

Top Speed Rating: (88) when winning a maiden special weight at Aqueduct.
Total Earnings: $63,750

Sire: Practical Joke
Dam: Tizlegal
Color: Gray/roan

Schoolyardsuperman was much the best in a one-mile maiden special weight at Aqueduct two months ago, leading all the way to dominate by 5 3/4 lengths. He finished fast down the homestretch and looms as a dangerous win threat while stretching out over 1 1/8 miles.

Kentucky Derby #MaidenWatch from @J_Keelerman! 🌹

🎒 Schoolyardsuperman
🏇 Carson Street
🤩 Greenwich Village
💪 Tallmar
💰 Freddie B
🏈 Fourth and One

Read about these six recent maiden winners: https://t.co/J794VXcWwn

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) December 10, 2025

Ottinho

Ottinho wins at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: Three Chimneys Farm
Breeder: Three Chimneys Farm
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Jose Lezcano

Top Speed Rating: (87) when winning an Aqueduct maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $56,950

Sire: Quality Road
Dam: Quiet Giant
Color: Bay

Ottinho has already won over the track and distance of the Withers, battling to victory by a head in a Dec. 31 maiden special weight. The 87 Brisnet Speed rating he earned stacks up well against the Withers field, and hot jockey Jose Lezcano is slated to ride. There’s a lot to like about Ottinho.

In a stretch battle, OTTINHO held his own and comes out on top to graduate in R5 at Aqueduct for trainer Chad Brown with Flavien Prat aboard! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/NiFitT4qry

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) December 31, 2025

Star Sweeper

Start(s): 4
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Bran Jam Stable and David W. Clark
Breeder: Tami D. Bobo
Trainer: Louis Linder Jr.
Jockey: Angel Rodriguez

Top Speed Rating: (85) when winning a $75,000 allowance optional claimer at Parx Racing.
Total Earnings: $93,000

Sire: Rock Your World
Dam: Tapless
Color: Gray/roan

Star Sweeper exits a fine win in a $75,000 allowance optional claimer at Parx. But he’s faltered in both of his starts against stakes competition and has yet to win running farther than 6 1/2 furlongs, so stepping up in class and distance could be tricky.

Mailata

Mailata wins the Pennsylvania Nursery S. at Parx Racecourse. (Photo by EQUI-PHOTO)

Start(s): 5
Wins: 3
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: Cash Is King and LC Racing
Breeder: Cash Is King and LC Racing Stable
Trainer: Robert Reid Jr.
Jockey: Mychel Sanchez

Top Speed Rating: (95) when winning the Pennsylvania Nursery S. at Parx Racing.
Total Earnings: $159,500

Sire: Maximus Mischief
Dam: Bouquet of Gold
Color: Bay

Mailata has won three starts in a row at Parx Racing in Pennsylvania, including the seven-furlong Parx Future Stars S. by 19 lengths. But the Withers is his toughest test yet, and it remains to be seen how he’ll handle stretching out over 1 1/8 miles.

Talk to Me Jimmy

Talk to Me Jimmy wins at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: SEI Thoroughbreds and Rudy R. Rodriguez
Breeder: Majestic View Farms Intl.
Trainer: Rudy Rodriguez
Jockey: Ruben Silvera

Top Speed Rating: (75) when finishing third in an Aqueduct maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $53,600

Sire: Modernist
Dam: Prairie Trip
Color: Bay

Talk to Me Jimmy has competed exclusively against fellow New York-bred horses. He won a one-mile maiden special weight at Aqueduct by 5 1/2 lengths, but must improve upon his career-best 75 Brisnet Speed rating to challenge tougher foes in the Withers.

Fourth and One

Start(s): 4
Wins: 1
Place: 2
Show: 1

Owner: Stony Pointe Stables
Breeder: Chesapeake Farm & Rockridge Stud, Tamie Semler, and John McConnell
Trainer: Jeremiah Englehart
Jockey: Jaime Rodriguez

Top Speed Rating: (86) when finishing second in an Aqueduct maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $114,000

Sire: Maxfield
Dam: Wajeeha
Color: Dark bay/brown

Like Talk to Me Jimmy, Fourth and One has been competing against New York-breds, most recently winning a one-mile maiden special weight by 7 1/4 lengths. The waters are deeper in the Withers, but Fourth and One may have the talent to factor for a top-five finish.