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: Fair Grounds All-Stakes Pick 5 play on Louisiana Derby Day
Saturday’s $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) anchors a $500,000 guaranteed all-stakes Pick 5 at Fair Grounds, and I’ll take a swing at the sequence.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Report: Fields sets for opening round of major qualifiers
The spotlight shines on Kentucky Derby contenders over the next three weeks as the final round of prep races get underway.
Kentucky Derby
Scully's Kentucky Derby Top 10 for March 14
It's an opportune time for analysis, with one Kentucky Derby prep race remaining for contenders, and here are my top 10 Kentucky Derby rankings entering the final round of preps.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Report: Stylish return performance for the champ
Champion juvenile male Forte came back impressively in the Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park, one of four Road to the Kentucky Derby series qualifiers offered on March 4, and the Todd Pletcher-trained colt will make his final prep in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) on April 1.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Report: Rebel upset precedes flurry of early March preps
March opens with a bang for Kentucky Derby contenders, as four qualifiers in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series will be held on March 4
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Report: Late runners step up in Risen Star
Angel of Empire and Sun Thunder jumped into the Kentucky Derby picture with a 1-2 finish in Saturday’s Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds, rallying from far back in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series qualifier.
Kentucky Derby
Derby Report – Stakes debuters continue to strike in Davis, Withers; Risen Star gets big field
Hit Show and Litigate became the latest first-time stakes performers to win a qualifier, jumping on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with respective wins in the Withers (G3) and Sam F. Davis (G3) on Feb. 11.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Report: Mott strikes in Holy Bull, sends contenders to Sam Davis, Withers
Rocket Can opened his three-year-old season with a rallying win in the Feb. 4 Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Report: Southwest flash, Cyclone set for Holy Bull
The second of four Kentucky Derby qualifiers at Oaklawn Park, the Jan. 28 Southwest (G3) featured the return of Arabian Knight, a spectacular wire-to-wire maiden winner on the Breeders’ Cup Saturday undercard in his career debut.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Report: Instant Coffee bolsters resume in Lecomte win; Cox trio set for Southwest
Launching a last-to-first move on the far turn, Instant Coffee overtook Two Phil’s in midstretch and drew away to a 2 1/2-length victory in Saturday’s Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Report: Lecomte big test for Instant Coffee
Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner Instant Coffee is one of 11 individuals listed for trainer Brad Cox in Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, and his performance in Saturday’s Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds will determine his closing odds.
Kentucky Derby
Cox, Pletcher preparing deep rosters for Kentucky Derby qualifiers
Kentucky Derby-winning trainers Brad Cox and Todd Pletcher are in familiar territory at this time of the year, orchestrating plans for a large contingent of prospects.
Kentucky Derby
First-crop sires 2022: Girvin relocated to Kentucky after making his mark
Girvin achieved success as a freshman sire, ranking fifth among first-crop sires by progeny earnings in 2022 ($1,910,156), and his five stakes winners included Grade 1 conqueror Faiza.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby Report: Forte brings top credentials to the New Year
The Road to the Kentucky Derby series opened in late September, but the prep season doesn’t get into full swing until the New Year. And the first qualifier of 2023 took place at Oaklawn Park on New Year’s Day, the Smarty Jones.
Kentucky Derby
Contenders to fill Flightline's void in older horse division
With Flightline headed to stud, the older horse dirt division lacks a standout entering 2023. Let's examine six contenders.
Analysis
Scully: Leveraging Breeders' Cup Saturday top play in Pick 3s
Nest rates as my best bet on Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup program, and I will key her in Pick 3 wagers surrounding the Distaff (G1).
Breeders Cup
Flightline seeks new heights in Breeders' Cup Classic
Flightline will bring superstar billing to the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), overpowering the competition in five career starts, but he’s yet to beat the best. That opportunity comes at Keeneland on Nov. 5.
Breeders Cup
Betting against Flightline in the Breeders' Cup Classic
Flightline is an imposing 3-5 morning line favorite against seven rivals in the $6 million Classic (G1), but let's answer the following question: “Who to bet if trying to beat Flightline?”
Breeders Cup
Scully: Breeders' Cup Friday Pick 5 play
Juveniles will be showcased in five Breeders’ Cup races at Keeneland Friday, and my strongest opinion comes in the finale.
Breeders Cup
Nest comes rolling into the Breeders' Cup Distaff
Following a second against males in June’s Belmont S. (G1), Nest stepped up with a series of stunning performances, winning the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), Alabama (G1), and Beldame (G2) by a combined 26 1/4 lengths.
Breeders Cup
Golden Pal looks to match Beholder, Goldikova as three-time Breeders' Cup winners
Speed rules for Golden Pal, who led rivals gate-to-wire winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) and Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) the last two seasons, and the four-year-old seeks to become only the third horse to capture three Breeders’ Cup races when lining up for a title defense in the $1 million Turf Sprint at Keeneland on Nov. 5.
Breeders Cup
Jackie's Warrior pursues elusive Breeders' Cup win
Jackie’s Warrior has been a brilliant one-turn performer over the past three seasons, but the one distinction missing from a Hall of Fame-worthy resume is a Breeders’ Cup win.
Breeders Cup
Belmont Picks: James Scully's picks for Oct. 21 at BAQ
James Scully offers his picks for the Oct. 21 card at Belmont at the Big A.
Wagering
Belmont Picks: James Scully's Oct. 14 at BAQ
James Scully offers his Belmont at the Big A picks for the late card on Oct. 14.
Wagering
Belmont: James Scully's expert picks for Oct. 7 at BAQ
Expert picks by TwinSpires handicapper James Scully for Belmont at Aqueduct on October 7, 2022.
Wagering
Belmont Picks: James Scully's picks for Sept. 30 at BAQ
James Scully takes a look at racing for Belmont at Aqueduct Sept. 30.
Wagering
Belmont Picks: James Scully's Sept. 15 picks for BAQ
James Scully's offers his picks for the Sept. 15 Belmont card at Aqueduct.
Wagering
Scully: Handicapping the Sept. 10 Kentucky Downs All Graded Stakes Pick 5
Saturday’s dynamite 12-race program at Kentucky Downs concludes with an “All Graded Stakes Pick 5” sequence, and James Scully has a ticket.
Racing
Scully: Kentucky Downs Pick 4 play Sept. 8
Another challenging 10-race program will be offered at Kentucky Downs on Thursday, and I will focus on the Late Pick 4, singling a runner in the finale.
Racing
First-crop sires: Girvin attracts attention
Represented by a pair of juvenile stakes winners, most notably 3 1/4-length Saratoga Special (G2) winner Damon’s Mound, Girvin is off to a fast start from his first crop.
Racing