Late owner/breeder Bob Murphy and trainer Robley Johnson had a very close relationship, thus making the recent wins by 10-year-old pacing mare Got The Giggles all the more special.

In addition to having banked over $77,000 on the track, Got The Giggles is a mother of three, with one of which has already made it to the races and a two-time victor. Now 'momma' is back at the track at Cal-Expo and is coming off a coast-to-coast romp with Dave Siegel at the controls.

“Bob paid a lot of money for her several years ago, but she had an accident in Calgary,” Johnson related. “He sent her down to me about five years ago in a last-ditch effort before breeding her. She impressed me with her ability, but she just couldn’t make it around that last turn and I suggested they go ahead and send her to the breeding shed.”

Got The Giggles produced three foals between 2007 and 2009, including a Camystic colt named Red Star Chuckles who has a pair of victories from 12 appearances at Fraser Downs. When Murphy passed away, Robley made arrangements with Murphy’s family to once again have the daughter of Grinfromeartoear under his care.

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

“What was in the back of my mind was a mare named Bonnie Bumpas, who raced for my mother. She bought her for $500, and some people were laughing at her because the mare was in foal and had a habit of cross-firing. After Bonnie Bumpas had her foal and they found a home for the baby, she was brought back to the races and actually dominated the boys.”

While Got The Giggles may not be achieving the heights of Bonnie Bumpas, she has returned to get her picture taken following three of her 13 starts off the lengthy layoff and appears to be razor sharp for Johnson.

“I know somewhere Bob Murphy is smiling about all us,” Robley said.

(Cal-Expo)