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.
Stories by Gene McLeanSerengeti Empress To Run in G1 Acorn Stakes on Belmont Stakes Day; Lone Sailor To Run in G1 Santa Anita Gold Cup
(Serengeti Empress winning the G1 KY Oaks / Photo by Holly M. Smith) Serengeti Empress, stylish winner of the G1 Kentucky Oaks in her last start, will make her next race time appearance in the G1 Acorn Stakes at Belmont Park as part of the Belmont Stakes celebration. Trainer Tom Amoss, when reached this morning […]
Work Tab for Wednesday, May 22: Binoculars Focused On Rowayton, Miss Mo Mentum & Others
(Trainer Mark Casse has Miss Mo Mentum getting ready / Photo Courtesy of Keeneland) Every day, we scour the work tabs at racetracks all over the country. We are looking for workouts that may be of interest and helpful to you — as both race fans and handicappers. Some of the horses we will be […]
War of Will Returns to His Home Base: Keeneland
(War of Will training before the KY Derby / Photo by Holly M. Smith) From the Keeneland Media Team: Gary Barber’s War of Will, who won the $1.5 million Preakness (G1) at Pimlico on Saturday, has arrived return home — to trainer Mark Casse’s barn at Keeneland. The 3-year-old War Front colt, a candidate for […]
Work Tab for Tuesday, May 21: Binoculars Focused On Roadster, Hofburg & Others
(Roadster works at Churchill Downs prior to the KY Derby / Photo by Holly M. Smith) Every day, we scour the work tabs at racetracks all over the country. We are looking for workouts that may be of interest and helpful to you — as both race fans and handicappers. Some of the horses we […]
Work Tab for Monday, May 20: Binoculars Focused On Champagne Anyone, Seven Trumpets, Mitole, Midnight Bisou, Quip & Others
(Champagne Anyone trains before the KY Oaks this year / Photo by Holly M. Smith) Every day, we scour the work tabs at racetracks all over the country. We are looking for workouts that may be of interest and helpful to you — as both race fans and handicappers. Some of the horses we will […]
McLean’s Updated Handicapping Statistics / Churchill Downs’ Jockey Standings
Day Results 10/3-6-3 2019 Overall 719 719/258-259-345 Win % of Top Pick 35.88% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 39.96% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –490 of 719 68.15% Top Selection ITM / CD 90-142 63.38% Top Selection Win / CD 44-142 30.99% “Key Horses” @ CD 30-11-7-4 36.66% “Key Horses” in 2019 […]
Cleaning Out the Ole’ Muck Pit: Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down on the Preakness Stakes
(War of Will won the Preakness Stakes on Saturday / Photo Courtesy of Pimlico) Every so often, we will be addressing a few things: comments, decisions, people, whatever that – for one reason or another – should be tossed into the literary “muck pit.” It is in the spirit of cleanliness, recycling, and protecting the […]
Work Tab for Sunday, May 19: Binoculars Focused On Long Range Toddy, Bricks and Mortar, Prince Lucky, Newspaperofrecord, Robert Bruce & Others
(Long Range Toddy / Photo by Holly M. Smith) Every day, we scour the work tabs at racetracks all over the country. We are looking for workouts that may be of interest and helpful to you — as both race fans and handicappers. Some of the horses we will be tracking, you will know. Some […]
McLean’s Selections for Churchill Downs on Sunday, May 19
Day Results 11/4-3-3 2019 Overall 709 709/254-253-342 Win % of Top Pick 35.83% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 39.92% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –483 of 709 68.12% Top Selection ITM / CD 83-132 62.88% Top Selection Win / CD 40-132 30.30% “Key Horses” @ CD 29-10-7-4 34.48% “Key Horses” in 2019 […]
Work Tab for Saturday, May 18: Binoculars Focused On Tacitus, Break Even, Bell’s the One, Chocolate Kisses & Others
(Tacitus before the KY Derby / Photo by Holly M. Smith) Every day, we scour the work tabs at racetracks all over the country. We are looking for workouts that may be of interest and helpful to you — as both race fans and handicappers. Some of the horses we will be tracking, you will […]
Serengeti Empress To Run in G1 Acorn Stakes on Belmont Stakes Day; Lone Sailor To Run in G1 Santa Anita Gold Cup
(Serengeti Empress winning the G1 KY Oaks / Photo by Holly M. Smith) Serengeti Empress, stylish winner of the G1 Kentucky Oaks in her last start, will make her next race time appearance in the G1 Acorn Stakes at Belmont Park as part of the Belmont Stakes celebration. Trainer Tom Amoss, when reached this morning […]
Work Tab for Wednesday, May 22: Binoculars Focused On Rowayton, Miss Mo Mentum & Others
(Trainer Mark Casse has Miss Mo Mentum getting ready / Photo Courtesy of Keeneland) Every day, we scour the work tabs at racetracks all over the country. We are looking for workouts that may be of interest and helpful to you — as both race fans and handicappers. Some of the horses we will be […]
War of Will Returns to His Home Base: Keeneland
(War of Will training before the KY Derby / Photo by Holly M. Smith) From the Keeneland Media Team: Gary Barber’s War of Will, who won the $1.5 million Preakness (G1) at Pimlico on Saturday, has arrived return home — to trainer Mark Casse’s barn at Keeneland. The 3-year-old War Front colt, a candidate for […]
Work Tab for Tuesday, May 21: Binoculars Focused On Roadster, Hofburg & Others
(Roadster works at Churchill Downs prior to the KY Derby / Photo by Holly M. Smith) Every day, we scour the work tabs at racetracks all over the country. We are looking for workouts that may be of interest and helpful to you — as both race fans and handicappers. Some of the horses we […]
Work Tab for Monday, May 20: Binoculars Focused On Champagne Anyone, Seven Trumpets, Mitole, Midnight Bisou, Quip & Others
(Champagne Anyone trains before the KY Oaks this year / Photo by Holly M. Smith) Every day, we scour the work tabs at racetracks all over the country. We are looking for workouts that may be of interest and helpful to you — as both race fans and handicappers. Some of the horses we will […]
McLean’s Updated Handicapping Statistics / Churchill Downs’ Jockey Standings
Day Results 10/3-6-3 2019 Overall 719 719/258-259-345 Win % of Top Pick 35.88% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 39.96% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –490 of 719 68.15% Top Selection ITM / CD 90-142 63.38% Top Selection Win / CD 44-142 30.99% “Key Horses” @ CD 30-11-7-4 36.66% “Key Horses” in 2019 […]
Cleaning Out the Ole’ Muck Pit: Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down on the Preakness Stakes
(War of Will won the Preakness Stakes on Saturday / Photo Courtesy of Pimlico) Every so often, we will be addressing a few things: comments, decisions, people, whatever that – for one reason or another – should be tossed into the literary “muck pit.” It is in the spirit of cleanliness, recycling, and protecting the […]
Work Tab for Sunday, May 19: Binoculars Focused On Long Range Toddy, Bricks and Mortar, Prince Lucky, Newspaperofrecord, Robert Bruce & Others
(Long Range Toddy / Photo by Holly M. Smith) Every day, we scour the work tabs at racetracks all over the country. We are looking for workouts that may be of interest and helpful to you — as both race fans and handicappers. Some of the horses we will be tracking, you will know. Some […]
McLean’s Selections for Churchill Downs on Sunday, May 19
Day Results 11/4-3-3 2019 Overall 709 709/254-253-342 Win % of Top Pick 35.83% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 39.92% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –483 of 709 68.12% Top Selection ITM / CD 83-132 62.88% Top Selection Win / CD 40-132 30.30% “Key Horses” @ CD 29-10-7-4 34.48% “Key Horses” in 2019 […]
Work Tab for Saturday, May 18: Binoculars Focused On Tacitus, Break Even, Bell’s the One, Chocolate Kisses & Others
(Tacitus before the KY Derby / Photo by Holly M. Smith) Every day, we scour the work tabs at racetracks all over the country. We are looking for workouts that may be of interest and helpful to you — as both race fans and handicappers. Some of the horses we will be tracking, you will […]
