Utley has 1,284,961 votes, NL officials announced Tuesday, well ahead of current No. 2 Chipper Jones, the Atlanta third baseman. Jones, who leads the major leagues in batting, was listed on 1,110,171 ballots.

Among second baseman, Utley has more than twice as many votes as runner-up Mark DeRosa of Chicago while Jones' lead is about 383,000 votes over the Cubs' Aramis Ramirez.

Three Cubs are among those who would be All-Star starters if balloting, which continues through July 2, ended now. Chicago catcher Geovany Soto and outfielders Alfonso Soriano and Kosuke Fukudome lead in their positions.

Other current leaders are Houston first baseman Lance Berkman and shortstop Miguel Tejada and Cincinnati outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr.

Tejada, with a lead of 119,000 votes over Florida's Hanley Ramirez, is in the tightest race for a starting spot.

The 79th All-Star Game is set for July 15 at New York's Yankee Stadium.