The Road to the Kentucky Derby gets a little longer this week as the Withers Stakes at Aqueduct will test Triple Crown hopefuls at 1 1/8 miles. That’s the same distance as most of the final rounds of preps two months from now in late March and early April.

A field of nine was entered for the Withers, which went to Preakness Stakes winner Early Voting in 2022 and offers a total of 42 Kentucky Derby qualifying points.

1. Speed Runner (5-1, morning-line odds): Comes off a game maiden win at this track and distance. Has speed and the rail and hails from a top barn. Speed figures are a tad weak.

JOCKEY: Jose Lezcano; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher

2. Deposition (50-1): Comes off a 13-length loss in a Laurel Park stakes. Trainer Uriah St. Lewis has pulled off a few major upsets in his career and this would be another if he can do it. That’s a very big if, however.

JOCKEY: Dexter Haddock; TRAINER: Uriah St. Lewis

3. Lightline (8-5): Won his debut by 13 ¾ lengths at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Then finished second in two allowances races. Without a graded stakes winner among the Withers field those credentials paint him as a contender.

JOCKEY: Manny Franco; TRAINER: Brad Cox                                    

4. El Grande O (5-2): Set the pace in the Jerome Stakes and finished second on a speed-favoring surface. Figures to be in front here but should have company and is being asked to handle an extra eighth or a mile. A soft pace would surely boost his chances.

JOCKEY: Kendrick Carmouche; TRAINER: Linda Rice                        

5. Seminole Chief (12-1): Speedster arrives from Florida after a pace-pressing win in a state-bred stakes. Will be part of the early pace scenario and continued improvement makes him a threat to hang around until the end.

JOCKEY: Trevor McCarthy; TRAINER: Jack Sisterson

6. Society Man (20-1): He’s a maiden but he was third behind Speed Runner last time out and his connections believe he has potential. In this field, he’s worth a long look at nice odds.

JOCKEY: Isaac Castillo; TRAINER: Danny Gargan

7. Mission Beach (6-1): Has graded stakes experience but was no better than fifth in his two attempts. Has yet to run beyond seven furlongs and figures to be part of the early pace. Not a tossout, but will need a lot to go his way.

JOCKEY: Dylan Davis; TRAINER: Brittany Russell

Uncle Heavy (Nikki Sherman/EQUI-PHOTO)

8. Uncle Heavy (10-1): Trainer Butch Reid usually send over sharp horses from Parx Racing and this could be another of them. Seems to like a distance of ground and should get a nice pace to chase. Looks like an intriguing possibility.

JOCKEY: Mychel Sanchez; TRAINER: Butch Reid

9. Khanate (15-1): Was third in the Jerome, but was beaten by 11 1/4 lengths. Has some speed but drawing the outside post diminishes his chances in a two-turn test.

JOCKEY: Eric Cancel; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher

THE PICK: Lightline

LIVE LONGSHOTS: Uncle Heavy, Society Man

SUPERFECTA: 3-8-4-6