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. The series will conclude on 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,” Willey 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, Willey 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.”

(Cal-Expo)