Handicapping

Gene McLean serves as Publisher as well as a daily contributing handicapping analyst. No one in this industry has more experience or talent in reviewing, forecasting and handicapping Thoroughbred racing. In addition, and as we collect data, we will publicize our experts Picks & Results. If other sites that offer handicapping tips and selections fail to do likewise, we will begin to collect that data, as well, and inform the general public on where our experts rank compared to others.

“The Pressbox’s 2026 Kentucky Derby Rankings:” Nearly Remains Clearly #1
“The Pressbox’s 2026 Kentucky Derby Rankings:” Nearly Remains Clearly #1

“The Pressbox’s 2026 Kentucky Derby Rankings:” Nearly Remains Clearly #1

2026-02-18T17:01:37-05:00By Gene McLean|

https://thepressboxlts.com/ky-derby-rankings-for-2026/ (Nearly winning the G3 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park / Photo Courtesy of

McLean’s Selections / Comments on Turfway Park — Wednesday, Feb. 18
McLean’s Selections / Comments on Turfway Park — Wednesday, Feb. 18

McLean’s Selections / Comments on Turfway Park — Wednesday, Feb. 18

2026-02-18T11:56:35-05:00By Gene McLean|

Days Picks 9 / 2-2-5 2026 Overall -- 117 117 / 40-33-46 Win % of

“Road to Kentucky Derby ’26:” The Leaderboard
“Road to Kentucky Derby ’26:” The Leaderboard

“Road to Kentucky Derby ’26:” The Leaderboard

2026-02-15T12:27:45-05:00By Gene McLean|

From the Churchill Downs Media Team / Darren Rogers: 2025-26 ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY

McLean’s Selections for Turfway Park on Saturday, Feb. 14
McLean’s Selections for Turfway Park on Saturday, Feb. 14

McLean’s Selections for Turfway Park on Saturday, Feb. 14

2026-02-14T12:34:00-05:00By Gene McLean|

Days Picks 9 / 2-2-5 2026 Overall -- 117 117 / 40-33-46 Win % of

McLean’s “Bonus Coverage” Selections of Fair Grounds’ Louisiana Derby Preview Day & G2 Risen Star
McLean’s “Bonus Coverage” Selections of Fair Grounds’ Louisiana Derby Preview Day & G2 Risen Star

McLean’s “Bonus Coverage” Selections of Fair Grounds’ Louisiana Derby Preview Day & G2 Risen Star

2026-02-14T08:50:29-05:00By Gene McLean|

Days Picks 9 / 2-2-5 2026 Overall -- 117 117 / 40-33-46 Win % of

McLean’s Selections for Turfway Park on Friday the 13th … drum roll … of February
McLean’s Selections for Turfway Park on Friday the 13th … drum roll … of February

McLean’s Selections for Turfway Park on Friday the 13th … drum roll … of February

2026-02-12T22:18:39-05:00By Gene McLean|

Days Picks 9 / 2-2-5 2026 Overall -- 117 117 / 40-33-46 Win % of

Churchill Downs Launches KY Derby Future Wager Pool 4: Paladin Is Early Favorite
Churchill Downs Launches KY Derby Future Wager Pool 4: Paladin Is Early Favorite

Churchill Downs Launches KY Derby Future Wager Pool 4: Paladin Is Early Favorite

2026-02-10T11:02:17-05:00By The Pressbox Staff|

From the Churchill Downs Media Team / Darren Rogers: REMSEN WINNER PALADIN TABBED AS 8-1

“The Pressbox’s Kentucky Derby Rankings” — 3rd Week: Nearly Is Clearly #1
“The Pressbox’s Kentucky Derby Rankings” — 3rd Week: Nearly Is Clearly #1

“The Pressbox’s Kentucky Derby Rankings” — 3rd Week: Nearly Is Clearly #1

2026-02-09T19:40:02-05:00By Gene McLean|

(Nearly winning the G3 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park / Photo Courtesy of Gulfstream

TwinSpires Boosts Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge Prize Pool & Adds Kentucky Oaks Betting Challenge
TwinSpires Boosts Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge Prize Pool & Adds Kentucky Oaks Betting Challenge

TwinSpires Boosts Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge Prize Pool & Adds Kentucky Oaks Betting Challenge

2026-02-09T11:34:54-05:00By Gene McLean|

From the Churchill Downs Media Team / Kevin Kerstein: TWINSPIRES BOOSTS KENTUCKY DERBY BETTING CHALLENGE

Today’s Work Schedule: Binoculars Focused On Litmus Test, Bella Ballerina, Courting, Boyd & Lots More
Today’s Work Schedule: Binoculars Focused On Litmus Test, Bella Ballerina, Courting, Boyd & Lots More

Today’s Work Schedule: Binoculars Focused On Litmus Test, Bella Ballerina, Courting, Boyd & Lots More

2026-02-07T15:06:36-05:00By Gene McLean|

(Bella Ballerina / Photos by Holly M. Smith) We are bringing back an “oldie,” but

McLean’s “Bonus Coverage” Selections For Tampa Bay — Sam F. Davis Stakes Day
McLean’s “Bonus Coverage” Selections For Tampa Bay — Sam F. Davis Stakes Day

McLean’s “Bonus Coverage” Selections For Tampa Bay — Sam F. Davis Stakes Day

2026-02-07T12:53:20-05:00By Gene McLean|

Days Picks 9 / 2-2-5 2026 Overall -- 117 117 / 40-33-46 Win % of

McLean’s Selections for Turfway Park on Saturday, Feb. 7
McLean’s Selections for Turfway Park on Saturday, Feb. 7

McLean’s Selections for Turfway Park on Saturday, Feb. 7

2026-02-06T14:24:32-05:00By Gene McLean|

Days Picks 9 / 2-2-5 2026 Overall -- 117 117 / 40-33-46 Win %

McLean’s “Bonus ‘Capping Coverage” of Oaklawn Park on G3 Southwest Stakes Day — Friday, Feb. 6
McLean’s “Bonus ‘Capping Coverage” of Oaklawn Park on G3 Southwest Stakes Day — Friday, Feb. 6

McLean’s “Bonus ‘Capping Coverage” of Oaklawn Park on G3 Southwest Stakes Day — Friday, Feb. 6

2026-02-05T19:43:52-05:00By Gene McLean|

(Gene & LA at Oaklawn Park, several years ago) Days Picks 9 / 2-2-5

McLean’s Selections for Turfway Park on Friday, Feb. 6
McLean’s Selections for Turfway Park on Friday, Feb. 6

McLean’s Selections for Turfway Park on Friday, Feb. 6

2026-02-05T18:37:52-05:00By Gene McLean|

(June Carter and I am wishing it was June 2026) Days Picks 9 / 2-2-5

“The Pressbox’s Racing Preview Show:” Dave “Buzz” Baker, Gene McLean & Dennis Trusty Examine the G3 Southwest Stakes
“The Pressbox’s Racing Preview Show:” Dave “Buzz” Baker, Gene McLean & Dennis Trusty Examine the G3 Southwest Stakes

“The Pressbox’s Racing Preview Show:” Dave “Buzz” Baker, Gene McLean & Dennis Trusty Examine the G3 Southwest Stakes

2026-02-05T14:03:08-05:00By Gene McLean|

Editor's Note: We are happy that my great friend -- and better handicapper -- Dennis

Turfway Park Cancels Wednesday’s Program
Turfway Park Cancels Wednesday’s Program

Turfway Park Cancels Wednesday’s Program

2026-02-04T12:10:36-05:00By The Pressbox Staff|

From the Turfway Park Media Team / Kevin Kerstein: TURFWAY PARK CANCELS WEDNESDAY’S LIVE RACING

Today’s Work Schedule: Binoculars Focused On Tiztastic, Gigante & Others
Today’s Work Schedule: Binoculars Focused On Tiztastic, Gigante & Others

Today’s Work Schedule: Binoculars Focused On Tiztastic, Gigante & Others

2026-02-03T17:05:39-05:00By Gene McLean|

(Tiztastic / Photos by Holly M. Smith) We are bringing back an “oldie,” but a

McLean’s Selections for Turfway Park on Thursday, Jan. 5 — 1 p.m. First Post
McLean’s Selections for Turfway Park on Thursday, Jan. 5 — 1 p.m. First Post

McLean’s Selections for Turfway Park on Thursday, Jan. 5 — 1 p.m. First Post

2026-02-03T15:40:03-05:00By Gene McLean|

Days Picks 9 / 2-2-5 2026 Overall -- 117 117 / 40-33-46 Win %

367 Horses Nominated For Triple Crown Series
367 Horses Nominated For Triple Crown Series

367 Horses Nominated For Triple Crown Series

2026-02-03T12:02:25-05:00By The Pressbox Staff|

(Further Ado / Photos by Holly M. Smith) From the Churchill Downs Media Team /

“The Pressbox’s” Road to KY Derby ’26: Weekly Rankings Spotlight Is Not Nearly As Good as Nearly
“The Pressbox’s” Road to KY Derby ’26: Weekly Rankings Spotlight Is Not Nearly As Good as Nearly

“The Pressbox’s” Road to KY Derby ’26: Weekly Rankings Spotlight Is Not Nearly As Good as Nearly

2026-02-02T20:12:28-05:00By Gene McLean|

(Nearly wins the G3 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Saturday / Photo

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