Willey Takes On Youngsters In Get Away Amateur Series At Cal Expo

Willey Takes On Youngsters In Get Away Amateur Series At Cal Expo
Thursday, June 2, 2011 - by Mark Ratzky, Publicity -- Cal Expo

At 77 years young, Keith Willey is the elder statesman in the TVG Get Away Amateur Driver series, which will be decided over the next three Saturdays at Cal Expo and concludes on closing night, June 18.

“I think this amateur series will be different from those in the past, due to the fact that we are randomly drawing for drives,” Keith said. “That should make for some very interesting racing.”

Willey feels these events are very important in terms of adding some variety to the programs.

“Having sponsors will bring a lot more interest to our races. Also, the extra purse money and bonus helps the horsemen who enter their horses in these races. We have to thank Dave Siegel for all his hard work in putting these events together and his dedication and constant support of amateur driving and harness racing in general.”

With the break in racing coming up, Keith was asked what is on tap for the next couple of months.

“Not much change in my summer routine this year,” he explained. “We will turn out the racing stock for a few weeks rest, then start getting them ready for the fall meet.

“I’m fortunate to have lots of big grass paddocks and a half-mile training track on the farm. I also expect some of the other trainers to be here, so there will be plenty of things going on.”

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Thursday (June 2) and continues through Saturday (June 4). Post-time on Thursday is 5:30 p.m. (PDT). Post-time on Friday (June 3) & Saturday is 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 Thursday nights through the end of the winter-spring meet, Cal Expo offers the Late Pick-4 with a $10,000 guaranteed pool. The wager will be conducted on races six through nine. Further, the takeout for the Late Pick-4 will be lowered to 15 percent, as it will also be on the Early Pick-4.

On Saturdays, Cal Expo offers a reduced 15 percent takeout rate on both the Early & Late Pick-4 with the Late Pick-4 now having a $15,000 gross guaranteed pool. Additionally, 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.