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 McLeanMcLean’s “Shopping Cart” List for the First 2 Days of the Kentucky October Yearling Sales at Fasig-Tipton
(Our homework is nearly complete / Photo by Gene McLean) The horses just keep coming. So do the horse sales. On Monday, Oct. 21, both will be on hand at the beautiful Fasig-Tipton Sale’s Grounds in Lexington for the annual Kentucky October Yearling Sales. And, for four days, somewhere close to 1,589 yearlings will be offered […]
McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Sunday, Oct. 13
Day Results 10-3-6-3 2019 Overall 1,087 1,087/387-383-498 Win % of Top Pick 35.60% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 38.88% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –728 of 1,087 66.97% Top Selection ITM / KEE 37-69 53.62% Top Selection Win / KEE 20-69 28.99% “Key Horses” @ KEE 7-1-0-0 14.29% “Key Horses” in 2019 […]
Work Tab for Saturday, Oct. 12: Binoculars Focused on Code of Honor, Guarana, Come Dancing & Others
(Code of Honor before this year’s 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 […]
McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Saturday, Oct. 12
Day Results 10-3-2-6 2019 Overall 1,077 1,077/384-377-495 Win % of Top Pick 35.65% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 38.87% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –721 of 1,077 66.95% Top Selection ITM / KEE 30-59 50.85% Top Selection Win / KEE 17-59 28.81% “Key Horses” @ KEE 6-0-0-0 0.00% “Key Horses” in 2019 […]
Chad Brown Has 2 Ready to Roll in Saturday’s Sands Point Stakes
(Chad Brown has a pair ready to roll in the Sands Point on Saturday / Photo Courtesy of Keeneland) From the NYRA Media Team: Godolphin’s Romantic Pursuit will look to build on her first stakes appearance as part of a talented seven-horse field of sophomore fillies in Saturday’s $200,000 Sands Point at 1 1/8 miles […]
Work Tab for Friday, Oct. 11: Binoculars Focused On Mr. Money, Covfefe & the “Man Child” Dennis’ Moment — With Quotes
(Mr. Money / Photo by Holly M. Smith) (Covfefe / Photo by Holly M. Smith) (Dennis’ Moment / 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 […]
Keeneland News: “Big Blue Day” At the Races Today — Oct. 11
(Keeneland Race Course / Photo by Holly M. Smith) From the Keeneland Media Team: Big Blue Day at the Races – TODAY, Friday, Oct. 11 WHAT: Today, the day before the University of Kentucky football team takes on the University of Arkansas, Keeneland is the center of Big Blue Nation. WHO: UK students, alumni, faculty […]
McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Friday, Oct. 11
Day Results 10-4-4-3 2019 Overall 1,067 1,067/381-375-489 Win % of Top Pick 35.71% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 38.89% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –717 of 1,067 67.20% Top Selection ITM / KEE 26-49 53.06% Top Selection Win / KEE 14-49 28.57% “Key Horses” @ KEE 5-0-0-0 0.00% “Key Horses” in 2019 […]
McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Thursday, Oct. 10
Day Results 8-3-5-2 2019 Overall 1,057 1,057/377-371-486 Win % of Top Pick 35.67% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 38.92% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –711 of 1,057 67.27% Top Selection ITM / KEE 20-39 51.28% Top Selection Win / KEE 10-39 25.64% “Key Horses” @ KEE 4-0-0-0 0.00% “Key Horses” in 2019 […]
KY Racing Commission Approves Transfer of Turfway Park License to Churchill Downs
(Artist rendering of the planned “New Turfway Park” / Photo Courtesy of Churchill Downs On Tuesday, Oct. 8, the Kentucky Racing Commission took a final and decisive action regarding the future of Thoroughbred racing in Northern Kentucky. Just like a thriving Thoroughbred in the stretch drive, the Commission moved willingly, strongly, and convincingly. On Tuesday, […]
McLean’s “Shopping Cart” List for the First 2 Days of the Kentucky October Yearling Sales at Fasig-Tipton
(Our homework is nearly complete / Photo by Gene McLean) The horses just keep coming. So do the horse sales. On Monday, Oct. 21, both will be on hand at the beautiful Fasig-Tipton Sale’s Grounds in Lexington for the annual Kentucky October Yearling Sales. And, for four days, somewhere close to 1,589 yearlings will be offered […]
McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Sunday, Oct. 13
Day Results 10-3-6-3 2019 Overall 1,087 1,087/387-383-498 Win % of Top Pick 35.60% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 38.88% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –728 of 1,087 66.97% Top Selection ITM / KEE 37-69 53.62% Top Selection Win / KEE 20-69 28.99% “Key Horses” @ KEE 7-1-0-0 14.29% “Key Horses” in 2019 […]
Work Tab for Saturday, Oct. 12: Binoculars Focused on Code of Honor, Guarana, Come Dancing & Others
(Code of Honor before this year’s 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 […]
McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Saturday, Oct. 12
Day Results 10-3-2-6 2019 Overall 1,077 1,077/384-377-495 Win % of Top Pick 35.65% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 38.87% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –721 of 1,077 66.95% Top Selection ITM / KEE 30-59 50.85% Top Selection Win / KEE 17-59 28.81% “Key Horses” @ KEE 6-0-0-0 0.00% “Key Horses” in 2019 […]
Chad Brown Has 2 Ready to Roll in Saturday’s Sands Point Stakes
(Chad Brown has a pair ready to roll in the Sands Point on Saturday / Photo Courtesy of Keeneland) From the NYRA Media Team: Godolphin’s Romantic Pursuit will look to build on her first stakes appearance as part of a talented seven-horse field of sophomore fillies in Saturday’s $200,000 Sands Point at 1 1/8 miles […]
Work Tab for Friday, Oct. 11: Binoculars Focused On Mr. Money, Covfefe & the “Man Child” Dennis’ Moment — With Quotes
(Mr. Money / Photo by Holly M. Smith) (Covfefe / Photo by Holly M. Smith) (Dennis’ Moment / 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 […]
Keeneland News: “Big Blue Day” At the Races Today — Oct. 11
(Keeneland Race Course / Photo by Holly M. Smith) From the Keeneland Media Team: Big Blue Day at the Races – TODAY, Friday, Oct. 11 WHAT: Today, the day before the University of Kentucky football team takes on the University of Arkansas, Keeneland is the center of Big Blue Nation. WHO: UK students, alumni, faculty […]
McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Friday, Oct. 11
Day Results 10-4-4-3 2019 Overall 1,067 1,067/381-375-489 Win % of Top Pick 35.71% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 38.89% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –717 of 1,067 67.20% Top Selection ITM / KEE 26-49 53.06% Top Selection Win / KEE 14-49 28.57% “Key Horses” @ KEE 5-0-0-0 0.00% “Key Horses” in 2019 […]
McLean’s Selections for Keeneland on Thursday, Oct. 10
Day Results 8-3-5-2 2019 Overall 1,057 1,057/377-371-486 Win % of Top Pick 35.67% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 38.92% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –711 of 1,057 67.27% Top Selection ITM / KEE 20-39 51.28% Top Selection Win / KEE 10-39 25.64% “Key Horses” @ KEE 4-0-0-0 0.00% “Key Horses” in 2019 […]
KY Racing Commission Approves Transfer of Turfway Park License to Churchill Downs
(Artist rendering of the planned “New Turfway Park” / Photo Courtesy of Churchill Downs On Tuesday, Oct. 8, the Kentucky Racing Commission took a final and decisive action regarding the future of Thoroughbred racing in Northern Kentucky. Just like a thriving Thoroughbred in the stretch drive, the Commission moved willingly, strongly, and convincingly. On Tuesday, […]
