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 Wednesday, Jan. 23: Binoculars Focused On Limonite, Once On Whiskey
(Trainer Steve Asmussen conditions Limonite for the ownership team of Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Willis Horton / 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. […]
Cox, Sharp Still Dueling For Top Spot in Trainer Standings at the Fair Grounds
(Brad Cox, left, and Joe Sharp are still locked in a fierce battle for the top spot in the Fair Grounds’ Trainer Standings / Photos Courtesy of Hodges Photography & the Fair Grounds) The dog fight, er, horse fight continues. Since the meet began at the Fair Grounds, way back in November, there has been […]
Work Tab for Tuesday, Jan. 22: Binoculars Focused On Chasing Yesterday, Bravazo, Copper Bullet, Got Stormy, Nitrous, Winter Sunset & More
(Winter Sunset winning at the Fair Grounds / Hodges Photography & Courtesy of the Fair Grounds) (Bravazo working at Churchill Downs / Coady Photography & Courtesy of Churchill Downs) 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 […]
Graham Extends Lead Atop the Fair Grounds’ Jockey Standings
(James Graham continues to hold the lead in the current Jockey Standings at the Fair Grounds / Photo Courtesy of Keeneland) James Graham is a tough rider. Ask anyone, anywhere. He can ride on the lead. He can encourage one from off the pace. He can excel on the grass course. He wins more than […]
Oaklawn Park Barn Notes: Ortiz Ready for Opening Day This Friday
(Trainer John Ortiz / Photo Courtesy of Oaklawn Park) From the Oaklawn Park Media Team: Johnny Ortiz has three horses entered for Friday’s opening-day card at Oaklawn, with one carrying the hopes of the trainer’s family. Unbeaten Miss Ximena is scheduled to make her 2019 debut in the seventh race, a first-level allowance/optional claimer for […]
Big Racing Week Ahead: Oaklawn Park Opens the Gates / Smarty Jones Stakes on Tap / Huge Weekend at Gulfstream Park
(Gray Attempt — winning the Sugar Bowl at the Fair Grounds in his last out — is entered in the Smarty Jones Stakes this week at Oaklawn Park / Hodges Photography & Courtesy of the Fair Grounds) Just got a nudge from my great friend Ed DeRosa over at www.brisnet.com — the only place you […]
Work Tab for Monday, Jan. 21: Binoculars Focused On McKinzie, Mucho Gusto, Bano Solo, Hot Springs, J Boys Echo & Some “To Look For”
(J Boys Echo gallops at Churchill Downs back in 2017. Here’s hoping that he gets back in 2019 / Coady Photography & Courtesy of Churchill Downs) 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 […]
McLean’s Updated Handicapping Stats at the Fair Grounds
(Diamond Seeker’s first foal — Seek N Justice — will make his career debut at the Fair Grounds on Sunday. Wish us luck.) Day Results 8-3-0-2 2019 Overall 112 112/35-35-58 Win % of Top Pick 31.25% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 38.10% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –71 of 112 63.39% Top […]
Work Tab for Sunday, Jan. 20: Binoculars Focused On Cathedral Reader, Seeking the Soul & Seek N Justice
(Our very own Holly M. Smith — one of the greatest equine photographers in the land — caught up with Seek N Justice at the Fair Grounds this week) 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 […]
McLean’s Selections for the Fair Grounds on Sunday, Jan. 20
Day Results 14-5-4-5 2019 Overall 104 104/32-35-56 Win % of Top Pick 30.77% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 39.42% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –66 of 104 63.46% Top Selection ITM / FG Nov-Mar 193-283 68.20% Top Selection Win / FG Nov-Mar 105-283 37.10% “Key Horses” @ FG Nov-Mar 62-28-15-5 45.16% “Key […]
Work Tab for Wednesday, Jan. 23: Binoculars Focused On Limonite, Once On Whiskey
(Trainer Steve Asmussen conditions Limonite for the ownership team of Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Willis Horton / 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. […]
Cox, Sharp Still Dueling For Top Spot in Trainer Standings at the Fair Grounds
(Brad Cox, left, and Joe Sharp are still locked in a fierce battle for the top spot in the Fair Grounds’ Trainer Standings / Photos Courtesy of Hodges Photography & the Fair Grounds) The dog fight, er, horse fight continues. Since the meet began at the Fair Grounds, way back in November, there has been […]
Work Tab for Tuesday, Jan. 22: Binoculars Focused On Chasing Yesterday, Bravazo, Copper Bullet, Got Stormy, Nitrous, Winter Sunset & More
(Winter Sunset winning at the Fair Grounds / Hodges Photography & Courtesy of the Fair Grounds) (Bravazo working at Churchill Downs / Coady Photography & Courtesy of Churchill Downs) 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 […]
Graham Extends Lead Atop the Fair Grounds’ Jockey Standings
(James Graham continues to hold the lead in the current Jockey Standings at the Fair Grounds / Photo Courtesy of Keeneland) James Graham is a tough rider. Ask anyone, anywhere. He can ride on the lead. He can encourage one from off the pace. He can excel on the grass course. He wins more than […]
Oaklawn Park Barn Notes: Ortiz Ready for Opening Day This Friday
(Trainer John Ortiz / Photo Courtesy of Oaklawn Park) From the Oaklawn Park Media Team: Johnny Ortiz has three horses entered for Friday’s opening-day card at Oaklawn, with one carrying the hopes of the trainer’s family. Unbeaten Miss Ximena is scheduled to make her 2019 debut in the seventh race, a first-level allowance/optional claimer for […]
Big Racing Week Ahead: Oaklawn Park Opens the Gates / Smarty Jones Stakes on Tap / Huge Weekend at Gulfstream Park
(Gray Attempt — winning the Sugar Bowl at the Fair Grounds in his last out — is entered in the Smarty Jones Stakes this week at Oaklawn Park / Hodges Photography & Courtesy of the Fair Grounds) Just got a nudge from my great friend Ed DeRosa over at www.brisnet.com — the only place you […]
Work Tab for Monday, Jan. 21: Binoculars Focused On McKinzie, Mucho Gusto, Bano Solo, Hot Springs, J Boys Echo & Some “To Look For”
(J Boys Echo gallops at Churchill Downs back in 2017. Here’s hoping that he gets back in 2019 / Coady Photography & Courtesy of Churchill Downs) 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 […]
McLean’s Updated Handicapping Stats at the Fair Grounds
(Diamond Seeker’s first foal — Seek N Justice — will make his career debut at the Fair Grounds on Sunday. Wish us luck.) Day Results 8-3-0-2 2019 Overall 112 112/35-35-58 Win % of Top Pick 31.25% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 38.10% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –71 of 112 63.39% Top […]
Work Tab for Sunday, Jan. 20: Binoculars Focused On Cathedral Reader, Seeking the Soul & Seek N Justice
(Our very own Holly M. Smith — one of the greatest equine photographers in the land — caught up with Seek N Justice at the Fair Grounds this week) 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 […]
McLean’s Selections for the Fair Grounds on Sunday, Jan. 20
Day Results 14-5-4-5 2019 Overall 104 104/32-35-56 Win % of Top Pick 30.77% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 39.42% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –66 of 104 63.46% Top Selection ITM / FG Nov-Mar 193-283 68.20% Top Selection Win / FG Nov-Mar 105-283 37.10% “Key Horses” @ FG Nov-Mar 62-28-15-5 45.16% “Key […]
