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
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
Kentucky Derby Context: Dynamic One
Dynamic One stamped his Kentucky Derby ticket with a head second in the Wood Memorial S. (G2) at Aqueduct.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Known Agenda
A convincing winner of the Florida Derby (G1), Known Agenda tops an expected four-horse contingent for two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Todd Pletcher.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Helium
After rallying to win the Tampa Bay Derby (G2), Helium will make his second start of the year in the Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Medina Spirit
Winner of the Robert B. Lewis S. (G3) in late January, Medina Spirit exits a pair of runner-up finishes in the San Felipe S. (G2) and Santa Anita Derby (G1).
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Mandaloun
Mandaloun secured a Kentucky Derby berth over the winter at Fair Grounds, recording a win in the Risen Star S. (G2) and a close third in the Lecomte S. (G3) in his first two stakes appearances.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Like the King
Winner of the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), Like the King captured two of three starts on the Tapeta track at Turfway Park this winter.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Hot Rod Charlie
With a convincing win in the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2), Hot Rod Charlie became a serious Kentucky Derby contender.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Bourbonic
Bourbonic earned his Kentucky Derby spot in a surprising manner, recording a 72-1 upset in the Wood Memorial S. (G2) at Aqueduct on April 3.
Racing
Scully: Scouting stakes plays for April 3
Three major Kentucky Derby preps are included among a smorgasbord of stakes action on Saturday, and I will preview some horses of interest at Aqueduct, Keeneland, and Santa Anita.
Racing
Scully’s spot plays for Gulfstream, Turfway Park on March 27
Kentucky Derby qualifiers are among the handicapping picks on stakes-packed programs at Gulfstream Park and Turfway Park
Racing
Essential Quality tabbed as 3-1 morning line favorite for Pool 5 of Kentucky Derby Future Wager
Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wagers will be held Friday-Sunday
Racing
Slew of Damascus: Tennessee's leading Thoroughbred
A chestnut gelding, Slew of Damascus did the Volunteer State proud when winning the 1994 Hollywood Gold Cup.
Racing
Scully: Playing the Late Pick 5 on Louisiana Derby Day
The $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) anchors an all-stakes Pick 5 at Fair Grounds Saturday
Racing
Scully's plays for March 13
Harrison E. Johnson Memorial S., Laurel Park – Race 6 (3:03 p.m. ET)
#6 Dixie Drawl didn’t appear comfortable in traffic when chasing a contested pace in the Feb. 20 John B. Campbell S., but I expect him to get in the clear and receive a bette ...
Racing
Life Is Good closes as 2-1 favorite in KDFW Pool 4; Clairiere tops Oaks Future Wager
Following a smashing eight-length victory in Saturday’s San Felipe S. (G2), Life Is Good took the lion’s share of the betting action in Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager.
Racing
Scully’s plays for Aqueduct, Santa Anita, and Tampa Bay on March 6
Handicapping Kentucky Derby prep days at Aqueduct, Santa Anita, and Tampa Bay Downs
Racing
Handicapping Laurel’s Late Pick 5 on Feb. 20
With six stakes being offered, Laurel Park features its biggest day of the winter meet on Saturday. Four stakes are part of the Late Pick 5, including the Barbara Fritchie (G3) and General George (G3), and wet conditions appear likely.
Here is a ...
Racing