James Scully
James Scully is a passionate sports analyst who grew up traveling to various sporting events around the country. James follows the NFL and NCAA, but also plays golf and other sports as time allows. Whether it be pro or college football, basketball, baseball…James can share solid insight with actionable information. When James isn’t watching sports, he can be found handicapping horse racing and playing golf. Twitter: @James_Scully111
Scully: Price plays for July 24
James Scully has tabbed some horses of interest at expected longer odds on Saturday
Racing
Scully's stakes picks for July 17
James Scully previews three horses of interest in Saturday stakes races
Racing
Scully: Stakes spot plays for July 10
Stakes spot plays for Belmont Park, Delaware Park, and Woodbine on July 10, 2021
Racing
Luis Saez picking up steam for the Spa
With Saratoga opening on July 15, Luis Saez is gaining momentum at the right time. The 29-year-old native of Panama won 11 races at Belmont Park last week.
Racing
Scully: Prairie Meadows Pick 3 play on July 2
Friday is the biggest evening of racing at Prairie Meadows, and James Scully has a Pick 3 play incorporating three stakes.
Racing
Handicapping the Derby City 6 mandatory payout on Stephen Foster Day
James Scully has a Derby City 6 analysis for the June 26 closing-day program of the spring meet at Churchill Downs
Racing
First-crop sires: Practical Joke's off to serious start as sire
Practical Joke appears poised to make a major impact in the 2021 freshman sire ranks
Racing
Scully: Spot plays for Churchill Downs on June 19
The Roxelana Stakes headlines Saturday's racing at Churchill Downs, and James Scully tabs three horses on the 11-race program.
Racing
Trainer Watch: Asmussen on a hot streak at Belmont Park
Steve Asmussen has finished either first or second nationally by wins the last five years. He ranks second all-time with 9,381 victories, and the Hall of Fame trainer will likely surpass Dale Baird (9,445 wins) before the end of the summer.
Racing
Hartmann, Mitchell riding hot streak at Churchill Downs
Chris Hartman won six straight races at Churchill Downs last week, and considering none were favored, he’s in the midst of a remarkable run.
Racing
Scully: Handicapping the all-stakes Pick 5 on Belmont Stakes day
The 153rd running of the $1.5 million Belmont S. (G1) anchors an all-stakes Pick 5 (Races 7-11) on Saturday, and James Scully has a ticket he's playing.
Racing
Scully: Handicapping Churchill Downs stakes on May 29 including Derby City 6
Handicapping opinions on Saturday's seven stakes on Stephen Foster Preview Day at Churchill Downs, including a mandatory payout on the Derby City 6.
Racing
Kentucky Derby returnees loom large in Belmont Stakes
Freshening up a three-year-old for a 1 1/2-mile Belmont Stakes used to be considered foolish, but the five-week hiatus has become the norm for many prominent stables nowadays.
Betting Info
Rombauer seeks to buck history with Preakness-Belmont Stakes sweep
It’s been nearly 100 years since a horse swept the Preakness and Belmont Stakes without competing in the Kentucky Derby. Rombauer will try to join the elusive club after winning the Preakness in his Triple Crown debut.
Racing
Trainer Clement heats up at Belmont Park
By winning four races last week, Christophe Clement joined Chad Brown at the top of the Belmont Park trainer standings. Both are now tied with 17 wins, and Clement has needed 18 fewer starts (17-for-52, 33% win) to get there.
Racing
Scully: Analyzing new shooters in the Belmont Stakes
Commonly referred to as new shooters, horses making their first start of the Triple Crown in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont Stakes have held their own in recent years.
Racing
Scully: Handicapping Downs After Dark on May 22
Seven of the 11 races on Saturday’s Downs After Dark program at Churchill Downs, including a pair of stakes events, offer a six-figure purse, and I’ll highlight some horses of interest.
Betting Info
2021 Preakness: Brisnet Speed Rating Report
A 10-horse field is set for Saturday’s 146th running of the $1 million Preakness (G1) at Pimlico. Let's preview the Brisnet Speed ratings
Racing
Scully's spot plays for Churchill Downs on May 8
Saturday marks the third weekend of live racing at Churchill Downs. I will give my thoughts on the Mamzelle, and tab some horses of interest on the undercard.
Racing
2021 Kentucky Derby: Brisnet Speed Rating Report
The Kentucky Derby is the most analyzed race in North America, and Brisnet Speed ratings serve as a useful handicapping tool for the big event.
Racing
Opening-night spot plays for April 24 at Churchill Downs
The spring meet at Churchill Downs begins Saturday evening with a 10-race program, highlighted by the $150,000 William Walker S. for three-year-olds at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf. First post is 6 p.m. ET
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Essential Quality
Essential Quality will take some beating as the Kentucky Derby favorite. They gray colt exhibited his will to win in the final prep race, determinedly getting up by a neck in the Blue Grass S. (G2) to remain unbeaten.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Highly Motivated
TwinSpires.com horse racing analyst James Scully attended his first Kentucky Derby in 1981. Along with a brief profile of this year’s contenders, he is providing some historical context.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Super Stock
Super Stock broke through in the Arkansas Derby (G1), earning a spot in the Kentucky Derby field with a 12-1 upset at Oaklawn Park. Read this and the full series by James Scully on TwinSpires Edge!
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Hidden Stash
A rallying second in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2), Hidden Stash did not receive the right set-up and experienced a troubled trip finishing fourth in the Blue Grass S. (G2) at Keeneland. His late kick could prove more effective in the Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: O Besos
To make the Kentucky Derby field, O Besos needed a top three finish in the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2). He was the only contestant to make an impact from off the pace in an eight-horse field, rallying well for third.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Soup and Sandwich
Soup and Sandwich secured a Kentucky Derby bid by holding for second in the Florida Derby (G1). The gray colt will make his fourth career start in the Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Midnight Bourbon
Midnight Bourbon has never finished out of the money from seven career starts. The hard-trying colt earned points in five consecutive qualifying races prior to the Kentucky Derby, including a victory in the Lecomte S. (G3) at Fair Grounds.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Rock Your World
Rock Your World took no prisoners in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), crushing foes wire-to-wire by a 4 1/2-length margin, and he may have the skills to carry his form forward in the Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Sainthood
Sainthood earned his way to the Kentucky Derby by finishing second in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park, a newly added major qualifier on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Racing