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 Tuesday, Nov. 19: Binoculars Focused On Tenfold, Tap Attack, Play On & Others
(Tenfold outside the Asmussen barn at Churchill Downs / 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, […]
Churchill Downs’ Race For the Trainer’s Title Is Heating Up Despite Cool Temps
(Brad Cox, on the left, and Steve Asmussen are in a race for the Trainer’s Title at Churchill Downs / Photos by Holly M. Smith) Now, we have a horse race at Churchill Downs. I know that does not sound strange. That’s what normally happens at Churchill Downs, right? But we have a, err, human […]
OPINION: Gary & Mary West Issue Statement; Will Appeal Judge’s Ruling to Dismiss Lawsuit; Cry Some More
(Maximum Security and jockey Luis Saez return to see that the objection light is lit following this year’s Kentucky Derby / Photo by Holly M. Smith) It did not take long for Gary and Mary West, the embattled owners of the often-troubled, and much-maligned Maximum Security, to make their decision. In fact, it took a […]
Lanerie Pulls Away In Churchill Downs’ Jockey Standings
(Jockey Corey Lanerie won the rider’s title at Ellis Park this summer, too / Photo by Holly M. Smith) Corey Lanerie is used to winning things. Lots of things. And, it looks like the likable rider is going to win another thing at the end of this month, too — the Churchill Downs Fall Riding […]
Work Tab for Monday, Nov. 18: Binoculars Focused On Finite, Alandra, Shoplifted & Others
(Finite enters the track before the Rags to Riches Stakes / 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 […]
Opinions & Observations: What The World of Racing Needs Now…
(Covfefe and her assistant trainer at the barn of trainer Brad Cox / Photo by Holly M. Smith) One of my most favorite songs from my youth still rings in my ears from time to time. The melody is calm and comforting. The lyrics soft and tender, like a wonderful chocolate shake from your most […]
Mr. Misunderstood Captures the G3 River City Stakes; Mr. Monomoy Captures the Imagination: Both Are Captured Through the Eyes & Lens of Holly M. Smith
(Mr. Misunderstood wins his 5th Stakes event at Churchill Downs in the G3 River City Stakes / Photo by Holly M. Smith) Editor’s Note: Saturday for a day for the guys. Or, at the very least, for the Misters, Mister. In the G3 River City Stakes, Mr. Misunderstood split several key rivals late in the […]
UPDATED WITH COMMENTS: McLean’s Selections for Churchill Downs on Sunday, Nov. 17
Day Results 11/1-7-3 2019 Overall 1,334 1,334/465-484-602 Win % of Top Pick 34.86% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 38.76% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –876 of 1,334 65.67% Top Selection ITM / CD Nov 93-143 65.03% Top Selection Win / CD Nov 50-143 34.97% “Key Horses” @ CD Nov 19/8-5-0 42.11% “Key […]
McLean’s Selections for Churchill Downs on Saturday, Nov. 16
Day Results 10/2-4-4 2019 Overall 1,325 1,325/464-477-599 Win % of Top Pick 35.02% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 38.74% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –870 of 1,325 65.66% Top Selection ITM / CD Nov 87-132 65.91% Top Selection Win / CD Nov 49-132 37.12% “Key Horses” @ CD Nov 18/8-4-0 47.06% “Key […]
McLean’s Selections for Churchill Downs on Friday, Nov. 15
Day Results 10/4-3-8 2019 Overall 1,315 1,315/462-473-595 Win % of Top Pick 35.13% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 38.78% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –861 of 1,315 65.48% Top Selection ITM / CD Nov 78-122 63.93% Top Selection Win / CD Nov 47-122 38.52% “Key Horses” @ CD Nov 18/8-4-0 47.06% “Key […]
Work Tab For Tuesday, Nov. 19: Binoculars Focused On Tenfold, Tap Attack, Play On & Others
(Tenfold outside the Asmussen barn at Churchill Downs / 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, […]
Churchill Downs’ Race For the Trainer’s Title Is Heating Up Despite Cool Temps
(Brad Cox, on the left, and Steve Asmussen are in a race for the Trainer’s Title at Churchill Downs / Photos by Holly M. Smith) Now, we have a horse race at Churchill Downs. I know that does not sound strange. That’s what normally happens at Churchill Downs, right? But we have a, err, human […]
OPINION: Gary & Mary West Issue Statement; Will Appeal Judge’s Ruling to Dismiss Lawsuit; Cry Some More
(Maximum Security and jockey Luis Saez return to see that the objection light is lit following this year’s Kentucky Derby / Photo by Holly M. Smith) It did not take long for Gary and Mary West, the embattled owners of the often-troubled, and much-maligned Maximum Security, to make their decision. In fact, it took a […]
Lanerie Pulls Away In Churchill Downs’ Jockey Standings
(Jockey Corey Lanerie won the rider’s title at Ellis Park this summer, too / Photo by Holly M. Smith) Corey Lanerie is used to winning things. Lots of things. And, it looks like the likable rider is going to win another thing at the end of this month, too — the Churchill Downs Fall Riding […]
Work Tab for Monday, Nov. 18: Binoculars Focused On Finite, Alandra, Shoplifted & Others
(Finite enters the track before the Rags to Riches Stakes / 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 […]
Opinions & Observations: What The World of Racing Needs Now…
(Covfefe and her assistant trainer at the barn of trainer Brad Cox / Photo by Holly M. Smith) One of my most favorite songs from my youth still rings in my ears from time to time. The melody is calm and comforting. The lyrics soft and tender, like a wonderful chocolate shake from your most […]
Mr. Misunderstood Captures the G3 River City Stakes; Mr. Monomoy Captures the Imagination: Both Are Captured Through the Eyes & Lens of Holly M. Smith
(Mr. Misunderstood wins his 5th Stakes event at Churchill Downs in the G3 River City Stakes / Photo by Holly M. Smith) Editor’s Note: Saturday for a day for the guys. Or, at the very least, for the Misters, Mister. In the G3 River City Stakes, Mr. Misunderstood split several key rivals late in the […]
UPDATED WITH COMMENTS: McLean’s Selections for Churchill Downs on Sunday, Nov. 17
Day Results 11/1-7-3 2019 Overall 1,334 1,334/465-484-602 Win % of Top Pick 34.86% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 38.76% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –876 of 1,334 65.67% Top Selection ITM / CD Nov 93-143 65.03% Top Selection Win / CD Nov 50-143 34.97% “Key Horses” @ CD Nov 19/8-5-0 42.11% “Key […]
McLean’s Selections for Churchill Downs on Saturday, Nov. 16
Day Results 10/2-4-4 2019 Overall 1,325 1,325/464-477-599 Win % of Top Pick 35.02% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 38.74% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –870 of 1,325 65.66% Top Selection ITM / CD Nov 87-132 65.91% Top Selection Win / CD Nov 49-132 37.12% “Key Horses” @ CD Nov 18/8-4-0 47.06% “Key […]
McLean’s Selections for Churchill Downs on Friday, Nov. 15
Day Results 10/4-3-8 2019 Overall 1,315 1,315/462-473-595 Win % of Top Pick 35.13% Payoff % of Top 3 Picks Overall 38.78% 2019 Top Pick in the Money –861 of 1,315 65.48% Top Selection ITM / CD Nov 78-122 63.93% Top Selection Win / CD Nov 47-122 38.52% “Key Horses” @ CD Nov 18/8-4-0 47.06% “Key […]
