James Scully

Lexington

Editor at Brisnet.com

Sports Analyst at TwinSpires

Married to Gigi. Big fan of horse racing, BBN, Bengals, Reds - most sports. @twinspires, @brisnet

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Articles

Jody’s Pride turns things around in Ruffian upset; Whatchatalkinabout prevails in Nerud

3 days ago | brisnet.com | James Scully

Saturday’s stakes action at Aqueduct (Belmont at the Big A meet) featured a pair of main track events for older horses, the $200,000 Ruffian (G2) for fillies and mares and $169,750 John A. Nerud (G3) for sprinters. A neck second in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), Jody’s Pride hadn’t visited the winner’s circle since taking the Busher in her three-year-old opener, but the four-year-old filly got back on track in the Ruffian, surging to win the one-mile event by about a length.
2025 Kentucky Derby Brisnet Speed Rating report

2 weeks ago | twinspires.com | James Scully

Thirteen of the last 15 Kentucky Derby (G1) winners had registered a triple-digit Brisnet Speed rating. The exceptions were 80-1 Rich Strike in 2023 and 20-1 Animal Kingdom in 2012, with the latter making his dirt debut in the Kentucky Derby following a smashing win in the Spiral (G3) (now the Jeff Ruby Steaks) over a synthetic track.
Chancer McPatrick, River Thames highlight Blue Grass

1 month ago | brisnet.com | James Scully

Keeneland's Friday card has been pushed to Monday and Saturday's racing will take place on Tuesday due to the weekends forecast of severe weather. Six of the seven entrants in Saturdayâs $1.25 million Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland are seeking qualifying points for the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 3.
Captain Cook heads a dozen in Wood Memorial

1 month ago | brisnet.com | James Scully

ShareA convincing winner of the Withers, Captain Cook will look to certify himself as serious Kentucky Derby (G1) contender when lining up for Saturday’s $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct. He’s the lone stakes winner among a dozen three-year-olds in the Road to the Kentucky Derby Challenge series event, a major qualifier awarding points on a 100-50-25-15-10 basis to the top five finishers.
Nine entered for 2025 Arkansas Derby; 10 set for Fantasy

1 month ago | brisnet.com | James Scully

Rebel (G2) winner Coal Battle is the most accomplished of nine runners in Saturdayâ€™s $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1), but Cornucopian has been installed as the 7-5 morning line favorite for Bob Baffert off a brilliant debut win over six furlongs over the Oaklawn Park track. The top five finishers will receive points on a 100-50-25-15-10 basis toward a Kentucky Derby (G1) berth in the major qualifier.
Owen Almighty dictates pace, kicks clear in Tampa Bay Derby

2 months ago | brisnet.com | James Scully

Owen Almighty made all the running in Saturday’s $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G3), drawing off to a 3 1/2-length decision in the 1 1/16-mile event. The Brian Lynch-trained colt virtually locked up a Kentucky Derby (G1) berth recording the gate-to-wire victory, increasing his point total to 65 with the 50-point prize in the Road to the Kentucky Derby Challenge series race, and Irad Ortiz Jr. was up on the son of Speightstown.
Owen Almighty dictates pace, kicks clear in Tampa Bay Derby

2 months ago | brcdn.brisnet.com | James Scully

Owen Almighty made all the running in Saturday’s $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G3), drawing off to a 3 1/2-length decision in the 1 1/16-mile event. The Brian Lynch-trained colt virtually locked up a Kentucky Derby (G1) berth recording the gate-to-wire victory, increasing his point total to 65 with the 50-point prize in the Road to the Kentucky Derby Challenge series race, and Irad Ortiz Jr. was up on the son of Speightstown.
Chancer McPatrick back in seven-horse Tampa Bay Derby

2 months ago | brisnet.com | James Scully

Multiple Grade 1 winner Chancer McPatrick, last seen finishing since sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), will open his three-year-old season in Saturday’s $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G3). The Chad Brown-trained colt top a field of seven in the 1 1/16-mile race, which will award the top five finishers qualifying points on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis as part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby Challenge series.
Flood Zone draws off in Gotham upset; Drexel Hill nabs Busher

2 months ago | brisnet.com | James Scully

A restricted maiden winner at Gulfstream Park, Flood Zone stepped up to defeat Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls in Saturday’s $300,000 Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct, surging clear in the stretch at 17-1. The frontrunning colt picked up 50 qualifying points toward a Kentucky Derby berth in his stakes debut.
Flood Zone draws off in Gotham upset; Drexel Hill nabs Busher

2 months ago | brcdn.brisnet.com | James Scully

A restricted maiden winner at Gulfstream Park, Flood Zone stepped up to defeat Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls in Saturday’s $300,000 Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct, surging clear in the stretch at 17-1. The frontrunning colt picked up 50 qualifying points toward a Kentucky Derby berth in his stakes debut.