“Road to Kentucky Derby ’26:” The Leaderboard
From the Churchill Downs Media Team / Darren Rogers: 2025-26 ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY
McLean’s Selections for Turfway Park on Saturday, Feb. 14
Days Picks 9 / 2-2-5 2026 Overall -- 117 117 / 40-33-46 Win % of
McLean’s “Bonus Coverage” Selections of Fair Grounds’ Louisiana Derby Preview Day & G2 Risen Star
Days Picks 9 / 2-2-5 2026 Overall -- 117 117 / 40-33-46 Win % of
McLean’s Selections for Turfway Park on Friday the 13th … drum roll … of February
Days Picks 9 / 2-2-5 2026 Overall -- 117 117 / 40-33-46 Win % of
McLean’s Selections for Turfway Park on Birthday Night — Wednesday, Feb. 11
Days Picks 9 / 2-2-5 2026 Overall -- 117 117 / 40-33-46 Win %
“The Pressbox’s Kentucky Derby Rankings” — 3rd Week: Nearly Is Clearly #1
(Nearly winning the G3 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park / Photo Courtesy of Gulfstream
TwinSpires Boosts Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge Prize Pool & Adds Kentucky Oaks Betting Challenge
From the Churchill Downs Media Team / Kevin Kerstein: TWINSPIRES BOOSTS KENTUCKY DERBY BETTING CHALLENGE
Notes & Quotes From the G3 Bayakoa Stakes: Nitrogen
(Nitrogen wins the G3 Bayakoa Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Saturday / Photo by Coady
Today’s Work Schedule: Binoculars Focused On Litmus Test, Bella Ballerina, Courting, Boyd & Lots More
(Bella Ballerina / Photos by Holly M. Smith) We are bringing back an “oldie,” but
McLean’s “Bonus Coverage” Selections For Tampa Bay — Sam F. Davis Stakes Day
Days Picks 9 / 2-2-5 2026 Overall -- 117 117 / 40-33-46 Win % of
McLean’s Selections for Turfway Park on Saturday, Feb. 7
Days Picks 9 / 2-2-5 2026 Overall -- 117 117 / 40-33-46 Win %
McLean’s “Bonus ‘Capping Coverage” of Oaklawn Park on G3 Southwest Stakes Day — Friday, Feb. 6
(Gene & LA at Oaklawn Park, several years ago) Days Picks 9 / 2-2-5
McLean’s Selections for Turfway Park on Friday, Feb. 6
(June Carter and I am wishing it was June 2026) Days Picks 9 / 2-2-5
“The Pressbox’s Racing Preview Show:” Dave “Buzz” Baker, Gene McLean & Dennis Trusty Examine the G3 Southwest Stakes
Editor's Note: We are happy that my great friend -- and better handicapper -- Dennis
Today’s Work Schedule: Binoculars Focused On Tiztastic, Gigante & Others
(Tiztastic / Photos by Holly M. Smith) We are bringing back an “oldie,” but a
McLean’s Selections for Turfway Park on Thursday, Jan. 5 — 1 p.m. First Post
Days Picks 9 / 2-2-5 2026 Overall -- 117 117 / 40-33-46 Win %
“The Pressbox’s” Road to KY Derby ’26: Weekly Rankings Spotlight Is Not Nearly As Good as Nearly
(Nearly wins the G3 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Saturday / Photo
“Road to Ky Derby” Leaderboard: Nearly Is Already At the Top After Holy Bull Win
(Trainer Todd Pletcher, conditions Nearly / All Photos by Holly M. Smith) From the Churchill
Work Schedule for Friday, Jan. 30: Binoculars Focused On: Bella Ballerina, Mesquite, Rancho Sante Fe, Chip Honcho, Commandment, Boyd & Many More
(Bella Ballerina / Photos by Holly M. Smith) We are bringing back an “oldie,” but
McLean’s Selections for Turfway Park on Wednesday, Feb. 4 — First Post Time Is 1 p.m.
(June Carter sure hopes we get to race again at Turfway Park soon...she's bored