Withers Stakes Picks, Odds, and Betting Preview (Feb 6)

Major prep action on the Road to the Kentucky Derby is set for this Saturday, as Aqueduct hosts the Withers Stakes. Despite previously being listed as a Grade Three, the contest is now a listed race. You can find the odds and our picks for the significant prep here.

Withers Stakes Odds

How to Watch

Race Information

ALSO SEE: Super Bowl LX: Seahawks vs Patriots – NFL Odds, Injuries, and Picks (Feb 8)

Withers Stakes: Recent Winners

Race Preview

The sporting eyes of the world may be on San Francisco this weekend, ahead of Super Bowl LX, but one of the other big betting events of 2026 is creeping into sight- the Kentucky Derby.

Prep action on the road to the opening leg of the Triple Crown is set for Aqueduct on Friday, as the Withers Stakes will be staged. Ottinho will be a red-hot favorite for Chad Brown. The three-year-old impressed on his second race course start at Aqueduct last December, achieving a speed figure of 93.

Todd Pletcher also sends a respected contender to Aqueduct this weekend, but Grittiness is yet to win in four attempts under rules. His attempt in the G2 Remsen Stakes last time was more promising, but a victory for this selection would indicate a very weak renewal of the Withers.

Brown’s Schoolyardsuperman is also an unexposed contender at this level, and should be thereabouts based on his speed figures. Mailata has already impressed in stakes company on his last two starts, setting some eye-catching figures on back-to-back wins at Parx.

Withers Stakes Picks

This weekend’s Withers is hardly a strong renewal of the once-great race. Therefore, I’m happy to take a chance on outsider, Talk To Me Jimmy.

The three-year-old was underwhelming on debut last year, but quickly put that right when winning a maiden special weight at Aqueduct in November, achieving a lofty 87 Equibase rating in the process. A repeat of that effort will see him go close.