Jockey Floyd Wethey, Jr.

Born: October 18, 1989  Resides: Blue Jacket, Oklahoma  Family: Single

Floyd Wethey, Jr., 18, is an apprentice rider who began the current Oaklawn meeting with 20 career winners.

Wethey is well traveled in his young career. “I have ridden in Kansas City, Tulsa, Texas, and Oklahoma and back to Kansas City,” he recalled.

“I have always wanted to ride races,” Wethey said recently. “My family is out of Oklahoma. My uncle rode thoroughbreds and quarter horses. My dad rides quarter horses,”

The young rider is in good hands at Oaklawn. His locker is next to that of Calvin Borel.“This boy is going to do fine,” said Borel, one of the most accomplished riders around. “I have watched him ride. I like what I see. He wants to succeed. He asks questions and he listens. He has a good head on his shoulders.”

Wethey, Dylan Williams and Manuel Vazquez are active apprentice riders at the meeting.

Apprentice development now comes under the certificate system.

More than a half century ago when saddle fledglings wereplaced under long term apprentice contracts and brought out by suchtrainers as Bennett Creech, Odie Clelland and O.L. Foster, it was oftenthat Oaklawn had a promising bug-rider.