gene@mcleanlobby.com

About Gene McLean

Gene McLean began his professional career in 1977 as a sportswriter and columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader in Lexington, Ky., and was recognized as one of the state’s best writers, winning the prestigious “Sportswriter of the Year” honor in 1985. Now the President and Publisher of The Pressbox, McLean sets the vision for the site and still finds time to handicap races, interview trainers and keep his finger on the pulse of the industry, More About Gene.

Today’s Kentucky Derby Photo Album: Through the Eyes & Lens(es) of Coady Media
Today’s Kentucky Derby Photo Album: Through the Eyes & Lens(es) of Coady Media

Today’s Kentucky Derby Photo Album: Through the Eyes & Lens(es) of Coady Media

2026-04-20T14:21:17-04:00By Gene McLean|

(Further Ado is one of the leading candidates for this year's 152nd running of the

Notes & Quotes From the G3 Ben Ali Stakes: Stars and Stripes
Notes & Quotes From the G3 Ben Ali Stakes: Stars and Stripes

Notes & Quotes From the G3 Ben Ali Stakes: Stars and Stripes

2026-04-19T19:25:52-04:00By Gene McLean|

(Stars and Stripes wins the G3 Ben Ali Stakes at Keeneland on Saturday /

McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Saturday, April 18
McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Saturday, April 18

McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Saturday, April 18

2026-04-18T11:59:49-04:00By Gene McLean|

2026 Statistics: Days Picks 10 / 4-3-4 2026 Overall -- 407 407 / 133-135-159 Win

McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Thursday, April 16
McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Thursday, April 16

McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Thursday, April 16

2026-04-16T10:42:10-04:00By Gene McLean|

2026 Statistics: Days Picks 10 / 4-3-4 2026 Overall -- 407 407 / 133-135-159 Win

McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Wednesday, April 15
McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Wednesday, April 15

McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Wednesday, April 15

2026-04-15T12:27:08-04:00By Gene McLean|

2026 Statistics: Days Picks 10 / 4-3-4 2026 Overall -- 407 407 / 133-135-159 Win

McLean’s “Donation Play of the Day” at Horseshoe Indy on Wednesday, April 15
McLean’s “Donation Play of the Day” at Horseshoe Indy on Wednesday, April 15

McLean’s “Donation Play of the Day” at Horseshoe Indy on Wednesday, April 15

2026-04-15T10:01:00-04:00By Gene McLean|

Date Race Horse Result Bet Total Gross Payoff Total Amount Earned 4/7/26 4th Velveteen 2nd

McLean’s Selections for Horseshoe Indy on Wednesday, April 15 — Tax Day (Ugh, the IRS)
McLean’s Selections for Horseshoe Indy on Wednesday, April 15 — Tax Day (Ugh, the IRS)

McLean’s Selections for Horseshoe Indy on Wednesday, April 15 — Tax Day (Ugh, the IRS)

2026-04-14T17:41:23-04:00By Gene McLean|

(Diamond's first baby) 2026 Statistics: Days Picks 10 / 4-3-4 2026 Overall -- 407 407

McLean’s “Donation Play of the Day” at Horseshoe Indianapolis: Deflected in 2nd Race
McLean’s “Donation Play of the Day” at Horseshoe Indianapolis: Deflected in 2nd Race

McLean’s “Donation Play of the Day” at Horseshoe Indianapolis: Deflected in 2nd Race

2026-04-14T09:08:14-04:00By Gene McLean|

Every week and, sometimes more often, we will be picking a "Donation Play of the

McLean’s Selections for Horseshoe Indianapolis on Tuesday, April 14
McLean’s Selections for Horseshoe Indianapolis on Tuesday, April 14

McLean’s Selections for Horseshoe Indianapolis on Tuesday, April 14

2026-04-13T17:27:44-04:00By Gene McLean|

(Diamond Solitaire from farm to Horseshoe Indy) 2026 Statistics: Days Picks 10 / 4-3-4 2026

KEEP & KY Horse Council Applaud Passage of SB 73 — Addressing Stray Equine Issues
KEEP & KY Horse Council Applaud Passage of SB 73 — Addressing Stray Equine Issues

KEEP & KY Horse Council Applaud Passage of SB 73 — Addressing Stray Equine Issues

2026-04-13T10:00:16-04:00By Gene McLean|

From the KEEP Media Team / Jennie Rees: KEEP and the Kentucky Horse Council Applaud

McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Saturday, April 11
McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Saturday, April 11

McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Saturday, April 11

2026-04-11T12:23:11-04:00By Gene McLean|

(Our baby filly by Jack Christopher) 2026 Statistics: Days Picks 10 / 4-3-4 2026 Overall

McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Friday, April 10
McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Friday, April 10

McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Friday, April 10

2026-04-10T12:20:07-04:00By Gene McLean|

2026 Statistics: Days Picks 10 / 4-3-4 2026 Overall -- 407 407 / 133-135-159 Win

Oldham County History Center to Host 2nd Event Highlighting Thoroughbred Industry
Oldham County History Center to Host 2nd Event Highlighting Thoroughbred Industry

Oldham County History Center to Host 2nd Event Highlighting Thoroughbred Industry

2026-04-09T12:16:54-04:00By Gene McLean|

Editor's Note: A great friend and a better horse person, Del Lovell, has been

McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Thursday, April 9
McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Thursday, April 9

McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Thursday, April 9

2026-04-09T11:48:49-04:00By Gene McLean|

2026 Statistics: Days Picks 10 / 4-3-4 2026 Overall -- 407 407 / 133-135-159

Horseshoe Indianapolis Begins ’26 Meet Today
Horseshoe Indianapolis Begins ’26 Meet Today

Horseshoe Indianapolis Begins ’26 Meet Today

2026-04-07T12:47:48-04:00By Gene McLean|

("The Kid" will return to Horseshoe Indy today, along with a new late Daily Double

McLean’s “Donation Play of the Day” for Horseshoe Indianapolis: Velveteen in the 4th Race
McLean’s “Donation Play of the Day” for Horseshoe Indianapolis: Velveteen in the 4th Race

McLean’s “Donation Play of the Day” for Horseshoe Indianapolis: Velveteen in the 4th Race

2026-04-07T10:47:33-04:00By Gene McLean|

Editor's Note: A year ago, we started a new program called the "Donation Play of

OPINION: Thoughts About This & That & a “Muck Pit” Nominee Tumbles Into the Trough Head First
OPINION: Thoughts About This & That & a “Muck Pit” Nominee Tumbles Into the Trough Head First

OPINION: Thoughts About This & That & a “Muck Pit” Nominee Tumbles Into the Trough Head First

2026-04-08T11:15:24-04:00By Gene McLean|

Cox Is Best Trainer In Game Today...Bar and Barn None...Congrats Young Man... There is

McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Wednesday, April 8
McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Wednesday, April 8

McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Wednesday, April 8

2026-04-06T13:23:13-04:00By Gene McLean|

2026 Statistics: Days Picks 10 / 4-3-4 2026 Overall -- 407 407 / 133-135-159 Win

McLean’s Selections for Horseshoe Indy on Wednesday, April 8
McLean’s Selections for Horseshoe Indy on Wednesday, April 8

McLean’s Selections for Horseshoe Indy on Wednesday, April 8

2026-04-04T13:51:44-04:00By Gene McLean|

(Diamond Solitaire's new baby by Jack Christopher) 2026 Statistics: Days Picks 10 / 4-3-4 2026

Will Thacker’s “Sports Bets of the Day:” Picks for Tonight’s Games in the Final Four
Will Thacker’s “Sports Bets of the Day:” Picks for Tonight’s Games in the Final Four

Will Thacker’s “Sports Bets of the Day:” Picks for Tonight’s Games in the Final Four

2026-04-04T13:17:00-04:00By Gene McLean|

Editor's Note: Our very own James William Thacker has been providing some great advice and

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