The Withers Stakes may not be the biggest qualifying race for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve but it can be a useful prep for the Road to the Derby Championship Series. At a two-turn, 1 1/8-mile distance, the Withers offers starters a chance to race at the same distance they will face later in preps like the Wood Memorial Stakes, Curlin Florida Derby, and Toyota Blue Grass.

1. Global Steve (6-1 morning-line odds): Speed figures are on the slow side, but when trainer Butch Reid ships from Parx Racing to New York, he’s sending a solid runner. Global Steve is 2-for-2 with a stakes win at Parx and deserves attention here.

JOCKEY: Mychal Sanchez; TRAINER: Butch Reid

2. Surfside Moon (15-1): He’s winless on dirt and was fifth in a dirt stakes. With his lone win on turf, others are more attractive.

JOCKEY: Sahin Civaci; TRAINER: James Lawrence II

3. Corvus (12-1): He is just 1-for-6 with only a win in a New York-bred maiden race. Prefer others.

JOCKEY: Romero Maragh; TRAINER: Jose Jimenez

4. Uncle Jim (3-1): Was a sharp maiden winner at Keeneland and then weakened to finish third in an allowance race. Slower fractions here may help him extend his speed.

JOCKEY: Jose Lezcano; TRAINER: Brad Cox

5. Mo Quality (3-1): Was second to Coal Battle in the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park and looms a top contender here. Should be able to work out a nice stalking trip in a small field.

JOCKEY: Kendrick Carmouche; TRAINER: Christopher Davis

6. Captain Cook (5-2): Comes off a powerful maiden win by 9 ¼ lengths after moving to trainer Rick Dutrow’s barn. Continued improvement will make him a major player.

JOCKEY: Manny Franco; TRAINER: Rick Dutrow

7. Omaha Omaha (4-1): Stone-cold closer will be helped by the added distance after closing from seventh to finish second in the one-mile Jerome Stakes. Looks like he’s facing better rivals here, however.

JOCKEY: Raul Mena; TRAINER: Michael Gorham

THE PICK: Captain Cook

LIVE LONGSHOT: Global Steve

SUPERFECTA: 6-5-1-4