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 Picks for Keeneland on Sunday, April 22
Day Results 10-3-1-4 Keeneland 112-37-39-49 Top Pick Win % 33.00% Top Pick ITM % 68-112 60.70% Top 3 Picks ITM % 37.20% 2018 Overall 597 Races 204-216-227 Win % of Top Pick 34.20% ITM % of Top 3 Picks 36.10% We were able to carve out 3 wins on Saturday the old-fashioned way — we […]
Notes & Quotes From the G2 Elkhart Stakes at Keeneland
(One Go All Go wins the G2 Elkhart, with Chris Landeros in the saddle / Photo Courtesy of Keeneland) From the Media Team at Keeneland: Quotes from the $250,000 Dixiana Elkhorn (G2) Click here for a replay of the race Chris Landeros (winning rider of One Go All Go) “Great trip. He’s a pretty fast horse. He […]
Workouts That Just May Work Out For You: Today’s Focus on Free Drop Billy, Coach Rocks, Justiy & Others
(Free Drop Billy winning the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity / Photo Courtesy of Keeneland) Here is a closer look at some of today’s top workouts: Free Drop Billy, who captured the Claiborne Breeder’s Futurity at Keeneland last Fall and then ran third at the famed track in the Blue Grass Stakes in his last start, worked this […]
Good Magic Breezes at Keeneland on Saturday / We Were There to Video & Watch
(Good Magic exits the track at Keeneland this morning, following his work for trainer Chad Brown / Photo by Alex McLean) From the Media Team at Keeneland: CHAMPION, TOYOTA BLUE GRASS WINNER GOOD MAGIC WORKS; LEAVES SUNDAY FOR CHURCHILL DOWNS AND KENTUCKY DERBY Trainer Chad Brown called the Saturday breeze by champion and Toyota […]
Why Own a Racehorse? Just Check Out These Pictures From Keeneland Today
Want to know the real reason to own a racehorse? You get to create memories just like these that we were able to capture at Keeneland this morning, on one of the best days of my life. I used to take my kids, Brad and Alex, to the racetrack in the mornings and to the […]
McLean’s Picks for Keeneland on Saturday, April 21
Day Results 10-2-2-3 Keeneland 102-34-38-45 Top Pick Win % 33.30% Top Pick ITM % 62-102 60.80% Top 3 Picks ITM % 38.20% 2018 Overall 587 Races 201-215-223 Win % of Top Pick 34.20% ITM % of Top 3 Picks 36.30% We have been a bit off this week going into the weekend, as opposed to […]
Keeneland Barn Notes: Former Brown Assistant Gets 1st Keeneland Win
From the Media Team at Keeneland: FORMER BROWN ASSISTANT ABREU CHERISHES FIRST KEENELAND WIN Jorge Abreu is no stranger to Keeneland’s Winner’s Circle, but Thursday marked the first time he gained entry with his name listed as the triumphant trainer. When asked about the experience the following morning, Abreu took a deep breath and paused […]
Churchill Downs Installs New Safety Precautions for Oaks/Derby Weekend
(New entrance area should be ready for 2018 Kentucky Oaks/Derby / Photo Courtesy of Churchill Downs) From the Media Team at Churchill Downs: CHURCHILL DOWNS ANNOUNCES NEW DERBY WEEK ENTRY PROCEDURES & SECURITY MEASURES Track encourages guests to visit KentuckyDerbyParking.com for parking, arrival & entry information LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Churchill Downs Racetrack (“Churchill Downs”), home of […]
McLean’s Picks for Keeneland on Friday, April 20
Day Results — 4/19/18 9-3-4-4 Keeneland 92-32-36-42 Top Pick Win % 34.80% Top Pick ITM % 58-92 63.00% Top 3 Picks ITM % 39.90% 2018 Overall 577 Races 199-213-220 Win % of Top Pick 34.50% ITM % of Top 3 Picks 36.50% Just a so-so day at Keeneland on Thursday, betting wise. But what a […]
McLean’s Picks for Keeneland on Thursday, April 19
On Wednesday, we rocked 3 winners out of the 8 races, but our true value was found in the exactas, as 3 of our top choices ran second with some good prices over top. We hit on $1 exactas that paid $26.10 (2nd), $26.50 (6th) and $30.60 (7th). For the day, we went 3-5-3 in […]
McLean’s Picks for Keeneland on Sunday, April 22
Day Results 10-3-1-4 Keeneland 112-37-39-49 Top Pick Win % 33.00% Top Pick ITM % 68-112 60.70% Top 3 Picks ITM % 37.20% 2018 Overall 597 Races 204-216-227 Win % of Top Pick 34.20% ITM % of Top 3 Picks 36.10% We were able to carve out 3 wins on Saturday the old-fashioned way — we […]
Notes & Quotes From the G2 Elkhart Stakes at Keeneland
(One Go All Go wins the G2 Elkhart, with Chris Landeros in the saddle / Photo Courtesy of Keeneland) From the Media Team at Keeneland: Quotes from the $250,000 Dixiana Elkhorn (G2) Click here for a replay of the race Chris Landeros (winning rider of One Go All Go) “Great trip. He’s a pretty fast horse. He […]
Workouts That Just May Work Out For You: Today’s Focus on Free Drop Billy, Coach Rocks, Justiy & Others
(Free Drop Billy winning the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity / Photo Courtesy of Keeneland) Here is a closer look at some of today’s top workouts: Free Drop Billy, who captured the Claiborne Breeder’s Futurity at Keeneland last Fall and then ran third at the famed track in the Blue Grass Stakes in his last start, worked this […]
Good Magic Breezes at Keeneland on Saturday / We Were There to Video & Watch
(Good Magic exits the track at Keeneland this morning, following his work for trainer Chad Brown / Photo by Alex McLean) From the Media Team at Keeneland: CHAMPION, TOYOTA BLUE GRASS WINNER GOOD MAGIC WORKS; LEAVES SUNDAY FOR CHURCHILL DOWNS AND KENTUCKY DERBY Trainer Chad Brown called the Saturday breeze by champion and Toyota […]
Why Own a Racehorse? Just Check Out These Pictures From Keeneland Today
Want to know the real reason to own a racehorse? You get to create memories just like these that we were able to capture at Keeneland this morning, on one of the best days of my life. I used to take my kids, Brad and Alex, to the racetrack in the mornings and to the […]
McLean’s Picks for Keeneland on Saturday, April 21
Day Results 10-2-2-3 Keeneland 102-34-38-45 Top Pick Win % 33.30% Top Pick ITM % 62-102 60.80% Top 3 Picks ITM % 38.20% 2018 Overall 587 Races 201-215-223 Win % of Top Pick 34.20% ITM % of Top 3 Picks 36.30% We have been a bit off this week going into the weekend, as opposed to […]
Keeneland Barn Notes: Former Brown Assistant Gets 1st Keeneland Win
From the Media Team at Keeneland: FORMER BROWN ASSISTANT ABREU CHERISHES FIRST KEENELAND WIN Jorge Abreu is no stranger to Keeneland’s Winner’s Circle, but Thursday marked the first time he gained entry with his name listed as the triumphant trainer. When asked about the experience the following morning, Abreu took a deep breath and paused […]
Churchill Downs Installs New Safety Precautions for Oaks/Derby Weekend
(New entrance area should be ready for 2018 Kentucky Oaks/Derby / Photo Courtesy of Churchill Downs) From the Media Team at Churchill Downs: CHURCHILL DOWNS ANNOUNCES NEW DERBY WEEK ENTRY PROCEDURES & SECURITY MEASURES Track encourages guests to visit KentuckyDerbyParking.com for parking, arrival & entry information LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Churchill Downs Racetrack (“Churchill Downs”), home of […]
McLean’s Picks for Keeneland on Friday, April 20
Day Results — 4/19/18 9-3-4-4 Keeneland 92-32-36-42 Top Pick Win % 34.80% Top Pick ITM % 58-92 63.00% Top 3 Picks ITM % 39.90% 2018 Overall 577 Races 199-213-220 Win % of Top Pick 34.50% ITM % of Top 3 Picks 36.50% Just a so-so day at Keeneland on Thursday, betting wise. But what a […]
McLean’s Picks for Keeneland on Thursday, April 19
On Wednesday, we rocked 3 winners out of the 8 races, but our true value was found in the exactas, as 3 of our top choices ran second with some good prices over top. We hit on $1 exactas that paid $26.10 (2nd), $26.50 (6th) and $30.60 (7th). For the day, we went 3-5-3 in […]
