Render Judgment – Kentucky Derby Context
Runner-up in the Virginia Derby, Render Judgement will face a tall challenge if he makes the 20-horse Kentucky Derby field.
Kentucky Derby
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
Built - Kentucky Derby Context
Built established himself as a promising prospect over the winter, recording a pair of commendable stakes efforts at Fair Grounds, but his last two performances raise doubts about his affinity for the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby distance.
Kentucky Derby
Rodriguez – Kentucky Derby Context
After placing in his first two stakes, Rodriguez shipped east to record a convincing win in the Wood Memorial (G2)—the speedy colt figures to add speed to the Kentucky Derby for six-time winner Bob Baffert.
Kentucky Derby
Luxor Café – Kentucky Derby Context
A winner of four straight, Luxor Cafe qualified for the Kentucky Derby via the Japan Road and the late runner will bring a strong turn of foot to his first international appearance at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
Admire Daytona – Kentucky Derby Context
After setting the pace, Admire Daytona dug in gamely to win the U.A.E. Derby by a nose, and he will be third consecutive Japanese-based winner of the race to contest the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
Baeza – Kentucky Derby Context
After a fine second in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), Baeza counts 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage as a half-brother and rates as a serious win contender if he draws into the 20-horse field.
Kentucky Derby
Coal Battle - Kentucky Derby Context
Trained by 72-year-old Lonnie Briley, Coal Battle swept three consecutive Kentucky Derby qualifiers and will try to rebound after finishing third in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Neoequos – Kentucky Derby Context
Third in the Florida Derby (G1) and Fountain of Youth (G2), Neoequos will bring tactical speed to the Kentucky Derby (G1) if he draws into the main body of the 20-horse field.
Kentucky Derby
East Avenue - Kentucky Derby Context
A juvenile Grade 1 winner, East Avenue figures to show speed in the Kentucky Derby (G1) after earning a spot in the 20-horse field with a nose second in the Blue Grass S. (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Grande – Kentucky Derby Context
Trained by two-time Kentucky Derby winner Todd Pletcher, Grande will enter the Kentucky Derby off an encouraging runner-up finish in the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct.
Kentucky Derby
Final Gambit - Kentucky Derby Context
An upset Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner, Final Gambit, will bring a strong closing kick to his first dirt start in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Journalism - Kentucky Derby Context
After sweeping three consecutive stakes races in California, Journalism will be an imposing favorite in the 151st Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 3.
Kentucky Derby
Sovereignty – Kentucky Derby context
After showing an affinity for Churchill Downs last fall, Sovereignty confirmed himself as a serious Kentucky Derby contender by winning the Fountain of Youth (G2) and finishing second in the Florida Derby (G1) this year.
Kentucky Derby
Tappan Street - Kentucky Derby Context
Tappan Street captured the Florida Derby (G1) in his third career start, establishing himself as a serious Kentucky Derby contender, and the progressing colt will look to get first run on the deep closers at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
Burnham Square - Kentucky Derby Context
Burnham Square came on when adding blinkers this winter, breaking his maiden and winning the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream. The fast-closing gelding then jumped to the top of the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, winning the Blue Grass (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Owen Almighty – Kentucky Derby Context
Owen Almighty will bring speed to the 20-horse Kentucky Derby field, going gate-to-wire in two of his three stakes wins. The 1 1/4-mile distance will be a challenge, however.
Kentucky Derby
Madaket Road - Kentucky Derby Context
Runner-up in the Rebel S. (G2) two starts back, Madaket Road figures to revert to stalking tactics in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Publisher - Kentucky Derby Context
Following an encouraging runner-up in the Arkansas Derby (G1), Publisher will look to earn his first career win in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Sandman – Kentucky Derby Context
Sandman established himself as a major Kentucky Derby (G1) contender with a rallying win in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Flying Mohawk – Kentucky Derby Context
Flying Mohawk earned a Kentucky Derby berth finishing second in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park, and the confirmed closer will make his first dirt start at Churchill Downs on Derby Day.
Kentucky Derby
Tiztastic – Kentucky Derby Context
Kentucky Derby Context for Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Tiztastic, who promises to bring a late kick to the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby on May 3.
Kentucky Derby
American Promise – Kentucky Derby Context
Virginia Derby romper American Promise will represent the legendary D. Wayne Lukas, a four-time Kentucky Derby winner, and the speedy colt promises to add to the Kentucky Derby pace.
Kentucky Derby
Chunk of Gold - Kentucky Derby Context
After making his first two starts at Turfway Park, Chunk of Gold recorded consecutive runner-up finishes in the Risen Star S. (G2) and Louisiana Derby (G2) to guarantee himself a Kentucky Derby spot.
Kentucky Derby
Citizen Bull – Kentucky Derby Context
Champion two-year-old male Citizen Bull did not turn in his best effort in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and is a candidate to rebound for six-time Kentucky Derby winner Bob Baffert at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
2024 In Review: Monthly Highlights
James Scully reviews some monthly highlights from Thoroughbred racing in 2024
Analysis
2024 Breeders’ Cup: Betting the Breeders’ Cup Saturday Late Pick 5
James Scully constructs a Late Pick 5 ticket on a $100 budget for Saturday's Late Pick 5 at Del Mar
Breeders Cup
Betting with, and against, City of Troy in Breeders’ Cup Classic
Recommendations for playing with, and against, morning-line favorite City of Troy in the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic.
Breeders Cup
2024 Breeders’ Cup: Betting the Future Stars Friday Pick 5
James Scully analyzes and provides a ticket for the Breeders' Cup Future Stars Friday program
Breeders Cup
Scully: Longshots to consider for 2024 Breeders’ Cup
James Scully picks five Breeders’ Cup race contenders at double-digit morning-line odds to consider at Del Mar this weekend.
Breeders Cup
First-crop sires: Authentic may still hit the mark
Authentic retired to Spendthrift Farm near Lexington, Kentucky, with earnings of more than $7.2 million from an 8-6-2-0 record. Let's review some of his runners to hit the track so far.
Features