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
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.
Racing
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
Scully: Pick 3 play at Churchill Downs on Arlington Million Day
A pair of Grade 1 turf events, the $1 million Arlington Million (G1) and $500,000 Beverly D. (G1) for distaffers, highlight a special one-day August program at Churchill Downs Saturday. I'll take a swing at the Late Pick 3.
Wagering
Epicenter steps up, top challengers wait in Travers
Epicenter will take some beating as the favorite in the $1.25 Travers (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 27, and the 1 1/4-mile race promises to feature his top divisional challengers.
Analysis
Scully: Opening-day Pick 4 play at Saratoga
D. Wayne Lukas has won a record-tying six editions of the Schuylerville S. (G3) for two-year-old fillies, but none since Classic Elegance in 2004. The Hall of Fame trainer will be represented by stylish debut maiden winner Summer Promise in Thursday’s opening-day feature at Saratoga.
Racing
Scully: Late Pick 4 play at Prairie Meadows on July 8
Friday’s Late Pick 4 at Prairie Meadows includes three stakes, and I’ll take a swing at the sequence on a reasonable budget.
Racing
Scully: Ohio Derby Day Late Pick 3 plays
James Scully suggests a pair of Late Pick 3 tickets for Saturday's Ohio Derby (G3) program.
Racing
Mo Donegal rebounds in Belmont
Mo Donegal couldn’t overcome a less-than-favorable trip in the Kentucky Derby, breaking slowly and traveling extremely wide to finish fifth, but he bounced back with a convincing win in the final leg of the Triple Crown, rallying to win going away by three lengths in the $1.5 Belmont S. (G1).
Belmont Stakes
2022 Belmont Stakes: Brisnet Speed Rating Report
Eight horses, including Kentucky Derby upsetter Rich Strike, are set for Saturday’s 154th running of the $1.5 million Belmont S. (G1). Known as “The Test of the Champion,” the 1 1/2-mile Belmont is the longest Grade 1 dirt race in North America.
Belmont Stakes
Creative Minister: Preakness contender profile
Creative Minister will jump straight from back-to-back wins over maiden special weight and entry-level allowance rivals to the Preakness, and connections forked over a $150,000 supplemental fee to run since he wasn’t Triple Crown-nominated.
Racing
Fenwick: Preakness contender profile
Listed at 50-1 on the morning line, Fenwick promises to be the longest shot in the Preakness, but the 80-1 longest shot (Rich Strike) just won the 20-horse Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Armagnac: Preakness contender profile
Unplaced in his first two stakes attempts, Armagnac will join the Triple Crown scene following an encouraging 4 1/4-length allowance triumph at Santa Anita on May 8.
Racing
2022 Preakness: Brisnet Speed Rating Report
How does the Preakness field stack up from a Brisnet Speed rating perspective? Let’s examine the contenders, ranked by highest last-out number.
Racing
Secret Oath: Preakness contender profile
Secret Oath will make her second attempt against males following a convincing win in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) 15 days earlier.
Racing
Skippylongstocking: Preakness contender profile
Skippylongstocking started to make headway when recording a sharp Gulfstream allowance win at 1 1/8 miles in early March.
Racing
Early Voting: Preakness contender profile
Early Voting easily won his first two starts on the front end at Aqueduct, including the Withers (G3) in early February, but the competition was suspect. He received a litmus test in the April 9 Wood Memorial (G2), performing admirably
Racing