Boyce Plotting Course With Trotter At Cal Expo

Boyce Plotting Course With Trotter At Cal Expo
Tuesday, June 7, 2011 - by Mark Ratzky, Publicity – Cal Expo

Sue Boyce is one of the eight competitors in the TVG Get Away Amateur Driver Series, which will have its second leg this weekend and concludes on closing night, Saturday, June 18.

At the same time, she is having fun with the trotter Mr Me. Boyce owns and drives the gelding, who is conditioned by Pierre Girard, and they combined forces to record a 7-1 upset with a big rally on May 19, then came back to miss by a neck with another good finish.

“I bought him in March,” Sue related. “He’s been a great horse for me as I haven’t had a trotter since War At Home. He has a very interesting personality and can be a handful. We’ve had some bumps, but he wants to race. He’s starting to be a consistent horse for us.”

Speaking of hard-knocking performers, Got The Giggles made it four wins from her last six starts one week ago for owner/trainer Robley Johnson, and it was back-to-back tallies for the 10-year-old mare with Luke Plano at the controls.

There is an interesting back story with this well-bred pacer, who is actually a mother of three and has returned to the wars off the long break without missing a beat. The fact that her late owner Robert Murphy and trainer Johnson had a very close relationship has made her victories all the more special.

Johnson explained that Murphy paid a lot of money for Got The Giggles many years ago, but she had an accident in Calgary that set her back. In a last ditch effort, she was sent down to Robley, and while he was impressed with her ability, she had troubles around the last turn and he suggested that Murphy send her to the breeding shed.

Fast forward to last year when Murphy passed away - - Johnson, as a result, made arrangements with his family to once again have Got The Giggles.

“I was very grateful to Bob’s widow Mary and his daughter Linda for letting me have this mare,” Johnson said. “I originally thought about starting a little broodmare band with her, but then I decided to give her a chance to come back to the races.”

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Thursday (June 9) and continues through Saturday (June 11). Post-time on Thursday is 5:30 p.m. (PDT). Post-time on Friday (June 10) & 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.