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 McLeanWork Tab for This Weekend Thru Monday, March 18: Binoculars Focused On KY Derby & Oaks Contenders
(War of Will winning the G2 Risen Star tuned up over the weekend for the LA 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 […]
“The Pressbox’s” KY Derby Rankings: Game Winner Stays #1 After “Game” Second in Rebel Stakes
(Game Winner and assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes arrived at Oaklawn Park last week for the G2 Rebel Stakes. They didn’t leave winners, but very “Game.” Photo Courtesy of Oaklawn Park) Horse Trainer Jockey Last Race Next Race Comments 1 Game Winner Bob Baffert Joel Rosario 2nd in the G2 Rebel Stakes – 1A Santa Anita […]
McLean’s Updated Handicapping Stats / Beschizza Extends Lead in Race for Rider’s Title at the Fair Grounds
Day Results 9-6-3-5 2019 Overall 416 416/158-162-207 Win % of Top Pick 37.98% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 42.23% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –292 of 416 70.19% Top Selection ITM / FG Nov-Mar 421-595 70.76% Top Selection Win / FG Nov-Mar 235-595 39.50% “Key Horses” @ FG Nov-Mar 124-52-24-15 41.94% “Key […]
McLean’s Selections for the Fair Grounds on Sunday, March 17
Day Results 10-6-4-3 2019 Overall 407 407/152-159-202 Win % of Top Pick 37.35% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 42.01% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –285 of 407 70.02% Top Selection ITM / FG Nov-Mar 414-586 70.65% Top Selection Win / FG Nov-Mar 229-586 39.08% “Key Horses” @ FG Nov-Mar 121-50-24-15 40.65% “Key […]
McLean’s Selections for the Fair Grounds on Saturday, March 16 / Bonus Coverage on Rebel Stakes(es)
Day Results 8-4-3-5 2019 Overall 396 396/146-155-199 Win % of Top Pick 36.86% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 42.09% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –276 of 396 69.70% Top Selection ITM / FG Nov-Mar 405-575 70.43% Top Selection Win / FG Nov-Mar 223-575 38.78% “Key Horses” @ FG Nov-Mar 121-50-24-15 40.65% “Key […]
Louisville Thoroughbred Society Hosts First “Investors Meeting”
(Mike Schnell, one of the “Founding Members” of the Louisville Thoroughbred Society goes through a PowerPoint presentation on the development of the new private club / Photo submitted) The Louisville Thoroughbred Society held its’ first “Investor Member” meeting on Wednesday, March 13 at the Ice House in downtown Louisville. Most of the investors — who […]
Updated: McLean’s Selections for the Fair Grounds on Friday, March 15
Day Results 9-3-3-3 2019 Overall 397 397/142-152-194 Win % of Top Pick 35.77% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 40.97% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –278 of 397 70.03% Top Selection ITM / FG Nov-Mar 407-576 70.66% Top Selection Win / FG Nov-Mar 219-576 38.02% “Key Horses” @ FG Nov-Mar 123-50-25-15 40.65% “Key […]
Work Tab For Thursday, March 14: Binoculars Focused On Roadster, Dream Tree, My Miss Lilly & Others
(Bob Baffert trains Roadster / Photo by Gene McLean) 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 […]
Fair Grounds Barn Notes: Is Too Could Be Ready For Another Top Performance in Red Camelia Stakes on Saturday
(Is Too Could Be Sitting on Go for the Red Camelia Stakes on Saturday / Hodges Photography & Courtesy of the Fair Grounds) By Ryan Martin, Fair Grounds Media Team: Barrone Farms’ Is Too has displayed dazzling performances in both of her turf efforts but will look to showcase the same impressive fashion in Fair […]
McLean’s Selections for Fair Grounds on Thursday, March 14
Day Results 9-2-6-5 2019 Overall 388 388/139-149-191 Win % of Top Pick 35.82% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 41.15% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –271 of 388 69.85% Top Selection ITM / FG Nov-Mar 400-567 70.55% Top Selection Win / FG Nov-Mar 212-567 37.39% “Key Horses” @ FG Nov-Mar 121-50-24-15 41.32% “Key […]
Work Tab for This Weekend Thru Monday, March 18: Binoculars Focused On KY Derby & Oaks Contenders
(War of Will winning the G2 Risen Star tuned up over the weekend for the LA 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 […]
“The Pressbox’s” KY Derby Rankings: Game Winner Stays #1 After “Game” Second in Rebel Stakes
(Game Winner and assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes arrived at Oaklawn Park last week for the G2 Rebel Stakes. They didn’t leave winners, but very “Game.” Photo Courtesy of Oaklawn Park) Horse Trainer Jockey Last Race Next Race Comments 1 Game Winner Bob Baffert Joel Rosario 2nd in the G2 Rebel Stakes – 1A Santa Anita […]
McLean’s Updated Handicapping Stats / Beschizza Extends Lead in Race for Rider’s Title at the Fair Grounds
Day Results 9-6-3-5 2019 Overall 416 416/158-162-207 Win % of Top Pick 37.98% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 42.23% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –292 of 416 70.19% Top Selection ITM / FG Nov-Mar 421-595 70.76% Top Selection Win / FG Nov-Mar 235-595 39.50% “Key Horses” @ FG Nov-Mar 124-52-24-15 41.94% “Key […]
McLean’s Selections for the Fair Grounds on Sunday, March 17
Day Results 10-6-4-3 2019 Overall 407 407/152-159-202 Win % of Top Pick 37.35% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 42.01% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –285 of 407 70.02% Top Selection ITM / FG Nov-Mar 414-586 70.65% Top Selection Win / FG Nov-Mar 229-586 39.08% “Key Horses” @ FG Nov-Mar 121-50-24-15 40.65% “Key […]
McLean’s Selections for the Fair Grounds on Saturday, March 16 / Bonus Coverage on Rebel Stakes(es)
Day Results 8-4-3-5 2019 Overall 396 396/146-155-199 Win % of Top Pick 36.86% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 42.09% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –276 of 396 69.70% Top Selection ITM / FG Nov-Mar 405-575 70.43% Top Selection Win / FG Nov-Mar 223-575 38.78% “Key Horses” @ FG Nov-Mar 121-50-24-15 40.65% “Key […]
Louisville Thoroughbred Society Hosts First “Investors Meeting”
(Mike Schnell, one of the “Founding Members” of the Louisville Thoroughbred Society goes through a PowerPoint presentation on the development of the new private club / Photo submitted) The Louisville Thoroughbred Society held its’ first “Investor Member” meeting on Wednesday, March 13 at the Ice House in downtown Louisville. Most of the investors — who […]
Updated: McLean’s Selections for the Fair Grounds on Friday, March 15
Day Results 9-3-3-3 2019 Overall 397 397/142-152-194 Win % of Top Pick 35.77% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 40.97% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –278 of 397 70.03% Top Selection ITM / FG Nov-Mar 407-576 70.66% Top Selection Win / FG Nov-Mar 219-576 38.02% “Key Horses” @ FG Nov-Mar 123-50-25-15 40.65% “Key […]
Work Tab For Thursday, March 14: Binoculars Focused On Roadster, Dream Tree, My Miss Lilly & Others
(Bob Baffert trains Roadster / Photo by Gene McLean) 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 […]
Fair Grounds Barn Notes: Is Too Could Be Ready For Another Top Performance in Red Camelia Stakes on Saturday
(Is Too Could Be Sitting on Go for the Red Camelia Stakes on Saturday / Hodges Photography & Courtesy of the Fair Grounds) By Ryan Martin, Fair Grounds Media Team: Barrone Farms’ Is Too has displayed dazzling performances in both of her turf efforts but will look to showcase the same impressive fashion in Fair […]
McLean’s Selections for Fair Grounds on Thursday, March 14
Day Results 9-2-6-5 2019 Overall 388 388/139-149-191 Win % of Top Pick 35.82% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 41.15% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –271 of 388 69.85% Top Selection ITM / FG Nov-Mar 400-567 70.55% Top Selection Win / FG Nov-Mar 212-567 37.39% “Key Horses” @ FG Nov-Mar 121-50-24-15 41.32% “Key […]
