Friendships, Winners Abound For Marty Garey

Friendships, Winners Abound For Marty Garey
Thursday, February 10, 2011 - by Mark Ratzky, Publicity -- Cal Expo

Marty Garey has been a fan of the trotters and pacers since he was a teenager in his native New York, joining the ranks of owner as part of a partnership in 1977, some two years after moving to California.

While he has campaigned some very nice horses, including California champion Knead To Shine with Wayne Short and the current sharp customer Ivegotwhatuneed with trainer and co-owner Bob Johnson, he relates that it’s the lasting friendships he’s established in the game that provide the most satisfaction.

“It started out with a few friends that I had made out here who were also fans and we pooled our money to claim a horse,” Garey explained. “Through Alan Horowitz, we were introduced to trainer Jack Olsen and claimed a mare named Prairie Sunshine, and she ended up winning enough to cover her training bills.

“When her racing days were over, Prairie Sunshine became a broodmare and her second foal was Knead To Shine. He was the California 3-year-old of the year in 1986, and I remember Annette Funicello was in the audience at the ceremony, because she was married to trainer Glen Holt. Knead To Shine won over $300,000 and also went back East at one point and won at Yonkers and Freehold at a class just below the Open.”

Fast forward some 25 years and Garey has his name listed under three performers.

“One of the my original partners I started out with in 1977, Hank Wieseneck, remains my good friend and we’re partners on Myra’s Hi Ho and Giles L S Hanover, and I also own Ivegotwhatuneed with Bob Johnson, who trains all three.

“Over the years, Hank and I and in some cases a few other friends and partners have also had horses at various times with Jack and Ruth Olsen, Wayne and Diane Short, Jim Lackey, Rick Plano, Bob Ritchie, Carolyn Lyons, Walter Bickford and Bob Wiley. Many have become good and long-standing friends.”

Garey has high praise for current conditioner Johnson.

“I had known Bob to be one of the top trainers for a long time, but didn’t have any horses with him until the last few years when I became partners in a few horses with David Neumeister. I’ve come to know Bob as a man of unquestioned honesty, integrity and work ethic.

“What actually sets Bob apart for me from trainers I’ve had on either coast is his skill at communication. Living 400 miles from Sacramento, but liking to stay closely involved and sometimes just talk horses as much as I do, a trainer that is easy to communicate with is very important. Bob answers the phone when I call, returns messages when I miss him, and calls himself to keep me informed and discuss things that are happening.”

One other important friendship that Marty wants to acknowledge is the one he has with Cal Expo track announcer Scott Ehrlich.

“Scott is an outstanding announcer, and soon after he came to California, we were introduced by a mutual friend and we’ve been close friends ever since.”

It must be nice to have a friend calling your horse down the stretch, especially when that one has it’s mojo working.

Cal Expo Featured Pace On Saturday Brings Out Ivegotwhatuneed

Ivegotwhatuneed, coming off three bang-up efforts resulting in two wins and a game second, is the one to beat at Cal Expo in Saturday night’s (February 12) $4,500 main event for the pacers.

An 8-year-old son of Givemewhatineed, Ivegotwhatuneed goes about his business for Marty Garey and Bob Johnson, with Johnson the conditioner and Lemoyne Svendsen in his usual position in the sulky. He has $255,000 in his bank account and a 1:52 career standard that was established two years ago.

The dark-hued performer was a 10-1 upsetter at this level on January 22, riding live cover to a half-length score in 1:54.3, then proved clearly best at 9-5 the following week over a sloppy track. He carved out all the fractions last time, but was unable to contain the pocket-sitting Haggin Oaks that evening.

Cycle Power was an eye-catching winner over these in coast-to-coast fashion last month, but has been a beaten favorite in his last three trips to the post while recording two thirds and a fourth. Nathalie Tremblay owns and trains the Cambest offspring with Steve Wiseman at the controls. He could easily apologize this time around.

Biggest Big Bertha (Rick Plano) and Red Star Ruffles (Jim Lackey) represent the mares in the cast; Nittany Linebacker has Rich Wojcio and is always dangerous with his best mile; and ML Jackhammer rounds out the field from the inside with Tim Maier giving directions.

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Thursday (February 10) and continues through Saturday (February 12). Post-time on Thursday is 5:30 p.m. (PST). Post-Time on Friday (February 11) & Saturday is at 6:00 p.m. On Thursday and every live card, Cal Expo offers free admission, as well as free preferred & general parking after 4:30 p.m. Also on Thursday night from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Cal Expo offers a complete Lasagna dinner, which includes salad and bread, for just $3.00. Additionally on Thursday, beer & wine can be purchased for $3.00 each as well.

On Saturdays, Cal Expo offers a reduced 15 percent takeout rate on both the Early & Late Pick-4 wagers with both Pick-4’s having a $10,000 gross guaranteed pool. Additionally, on Saturdays, for winning wagers made on the Late Pick 4 online at TwinSpires.com or on track at Cal Expo, a bonus payout of 17.65 percent of the gross Late Pick 4 mutuel payoff will be paid.