02/25/2026
It is with sadness that we inform our community that Gretchen Werner recently passed. She was 86 years old. Gretchen was born in in Michigan and started showing horses as a child. In her racing career, she worked at Bowie and Laurel Park as an Assistant Trainer, groom and hotwalker for the likes of Vinnie Blengs, Dale Capuano and Mike Trombetta. She was lovingly refered to as Grandma in the barn, as she worked up until last year.
Gretchen is survived by 2 children, Max Jr and William Werner. Her daughter Diane sadly died two years ago. She is also survived by 3 grandchildren (a 4th passed away), 3 great grandchildren, her ex-husband Max Werner Sr and her partner, racetracker Chuck Beare. We will have a service for her on Thursday, March 5th at 11:30 in the track kitchen at Laurel Park. Anyone who knew her invited to attend.mg