Saturday night’s Keith Willey Memorial Trot is named for the popular horseman who passed away last September at the age of 81 following a three-month battle with cancer.
Willey resided in Sacramento County for 43 years, 26 of which were spent in Herald. He served as a full-time military officer in the California National Guard from 1953 until his retirement in 1992, reaching the rank of Colonel.
He also served as air defense commander and comptroller with the California State Military Department.
One of his true loves was harness racing, and he was a driver, trainer, owner and breeder while an extremely popular member of the fraternity. He was recalled as ‘a self-taught computer guru, photographer, pilot, lover of old country music, a Mr. Fix-it and a cowboy at heart who liked challenges.”
Willey was survived by his wife, Deborah, and son, Kenneth, plus numerous dogs, cats and horses.
Nathalie Tremblay said, “Keith was a great friend and business partner for both me and my dad, Nicol. We used to love to go his farm in the summer and train over his half-mile track.
“Keith loved every animal that was born and raised on his farm, and there was always a place for them.”
As far as performers go, Nathalie remembers a special place in Willey’s heart for the trotter KD Justice. “Both Keith and my dad won with him. I also remember a time when KD Justice broke Keith’s leg, and he didn’t even realize it at the time!”
Jim Perez said, “Keith always supported California harness racing. He was on the sire stakes board of directors for many years and always loved his Cal-breds. He was a big part of the sire stakes program and is truly missed.”
The Keith Willey Memorial Trot, which will feature Flameon, and a pair of $10,000 California Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacers are the main events on Saturday night’s program at Cal Expo.
There will be 11 races on tap. First post is set for 6:15 p.m. The Keith Willey Trot has been carded as the fourth race, while the sire stakes for pacing colts occupies the sixth-race slot. The pacing fillies stakes will be a non-betting event prior to the regular program.
(With files from Cal Expo)