Gary Messenger Trainer Monticello

[theokodjak26]

Here is someone who never makes any news. He seems to be the perfect example of a steady Eddie in harness racing. I recall years ago he was a driver/trainer before giving up driving. He is always near the top of the MR trainer standings. He seems to excel with trotters but only general raceway stock. His wife Brenda loves to bet at the live shows at MR. Her father was a MR trainer for years too..Fred Heck. They seem to have an exclusive and successful driver arrangement with Jim Taggert, who if he wins, always get a kiss on the cheek from Brenda in the winners circle. If anyone knows Gary Messenger can you add to what type of horseman and personality he is. I never see him outside of the MR paddock.

[Fuguzzi]

He blossomed later in life into exactly what you described. Early he was very ordinary. always a better trainer than driver as evidenced by his long run of success for his Va. owners once he left the driving to Taggart.  He and Brenda have been together a looong time as you know. seems to run the last "classy" outfit at Monti. Have seen his horses venture to other tracks and win too. Gary found himself IMO. Good for him!

[Fuguzzi]

I remember him at Saratoga many years ago. Never earth shattering, just steady in those days.

[theokodjak26]

About 10 years ago Brenda told me they found a lot of value in horses that were for sale on line. Many of these horses were at NY State tracks and farms being trained by people who didn’t realize what they had. These were mostly lower priced horses in the $4-$8,000 range that they could quickly improve utilizing Garry’s extensive experience.

[Fuguzzi]

Interesting. That guy in Va. Scott Woogen seems to own a a lot. I've seen him drive amateur races. Some of their trotters have 30 or 40,000 or more on their card by year's end. there's another owner too whose name i forget. Glad they do well online.

[London]

Had some girl/groom working for him years ago..nasty bitch she was..

[bello]

Interesting. That guy in Va. Scott Woogen seems to own a a lot. I've seen him drive amateur races. Some of their trotters have 30 or 40,000 or more on their card by year's end. there's another owner too whose name i forget. Glad they do well online.

Dr. Scott Woogen practices in Va. drives many of their jointly owned horses at Shenandoah Downs in Woodstock Va. Meet is going on right now on weekends.

Other owner races their horses in Maryland. He is Ken Weckstein.

I used to watch replays under the same TV with Brenda Heck at the time ( dating myself). Real nice girl (lady) . I never personally knew Gary but he has stayed away from the numerous scandals at Monti over the years. And yes, Brenda gives all driver who win for her a nice smooch in the winners circle. Mostly Taggert. They all make a nice team

[Fuguzzi]

    Well said!

[Emperor Dapple]

Interesting. That guy in Va. Scott Woogen seems to own a a lot. I've seen him drive amateur races. Some of their trotters have 30 or 40,000 or more on their card by year's end. there's another owner too whose name i forget. Glad they do well online.

Kenneth Weckstein is that other owner i believe ur referring to

[Fuguzzi]

 tmbz1yup   thanks to both who reminded me

[tumbleweed]

Gary is a class act. Came up under the reigns of Clint Galbreath years ago. Gary can hold his head high and shows the good side of racing.

[Fuguzzi]

Agreed. Prolly a better trainer at this point than Clint ever was.

[bello]

Pocono race 4 in 2 minutes Dr. Woogen, Brenda and Gary  have the #6...Dirtied up for this spot

[bello]

Pocono race 4 in 2 minutes Dr. Woogen, Brenda and Gary  have the #6...Dirtied up for this spot

Jogburger

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

Agreed. Prolly a better trainer at this point than Clint ever was.

Please put down the pipe. As of this morning, Clint as a driver/trainer earned almost 6 million more in purses than Messenger, as well as developing and syndicating possibly the greatest horse that ever lived. Maybe the most foolish post I have ever read.