Trainer Chad Brown has won two of the last five editions of the $200,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct. He has a strong chance to pick up a third win when the 2026 edition of the 1 1/8-mile Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve qualifier is contested on Saturday.

Schoolyardsuperman (NYRA/Coglianese Photos)

Brown has entered two horses in the Withers, and both loom as win contenders. My top choice is #1 Schoolyardsuperman. After failing to win his first two starts sprinting, the gray or roan colt stretched out for a one-mile maiden special weight race on Dec. 6 at Aqueduct. The result? An impressive win.

“Impressive” is arguably an understatement. Schoolyardsuperman was much the best. He vied for the lead through quarter-mile fractions of :23.48 and :47.15, opened up a two-length advantage with a quarter-mile remaining, and then blazed his final two eighths of a mile in :11.99 and :12.63 to triumph by 5 3/4 lengths in the quick time of 1:36.68.

Schoolyardsuperman’s fast finish suggests he’ll handle stretching out to 1 1/8 miles in the Withers. It’s also encouraging to note he’ll start from post-position 1. According to statistics from Brisnet, the rail post has produced a powerful 23% winners in 1 1/8-mile dirt races at Aqueduct since Nov. 6.

We recommend betting Schoolyardsuperman on top of exotic wagers like the exacta (which requires selecting the top two finishers in order) and trifecta (selecting the top three finishers).

Maiden winner Ottinho (Adam Coglianese/NYRA)

The second Brown trainee, #6 Ottinho, is a logical choice for second place. He debuted in a one-mile maiden special weight in November at Aqueduct, finishing third by two lengths against Enforced Agenda, who returned to finish third in Aqueduct’s Jerome Stakes on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Ottinho’s second start came in a 1 1/8-mile maiden special weight at Aqueduct. Whether benefiting from experience or the longer distance, Ottinho improved meaningfully, leading almost all the way to prevail by a hard-fought head.

The fact that Ottinho has already won at this track and distance entering the Withers is appealing, as is the fact he’ll be ridden by two-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Flavien Prat.

For third place, we’ll use maiden winner #2 Fourth and One, runaway Parx Future Stars Stakes conqueror #5 Mailata, and Grade 2 Remsen Stakes fifth-place finisher #7 Grittiness.

Wagering Strategy on a $10 Budget

$10 exacta: 1 with 6

What to say at the betting window: Aqueduct, 9th race, $10 exacta 1 with 6

Wagering Strategy on a $30 Budget

$15 exacta: 1 with 6

What to say at the betting window: Aqueduct, 9th race, $15 exacta 1 with 6

$5 trifecta: 1 with 6 with 2,5,7 (total cost: $15)

What to say at the betting window: Aqueduct, 9th race, $5 trifecta 1 with 6 with 2,5,7

Good luck, and enjoy the race!