Flash Mob 'Firework' Lights Up Monmouth Park

Patrons of  "the Shore's Greatest Stretch" are used to excitement and surprises at the racetrack, but not like this.

Moments after jockey Joe Bravo rode Gypsy Gold to victory in the seventh race on at , Saturday, June 4, the first few bars of Katy Perry's "Firework" began to play, and a woman strut out into a dance routine in an aisle near the Winner's Circle.

The woman was soon joined in choreographed step by over 100 others, all of whom donated $25 to participate in the flash mob, organized to benefit and raise awareness for Mary's Place By-the-Sea, a non-profit based out of Ocean Grove that assists women who have been diagnosed with cancer.

Melanie Knobel, the woman who organized the flash mob, said in a phone call yesterday that the organization provides women with treatment and support after they receive their diagnosis of cancer, and offers reiki, therapy, massage, guided meditation and nutritional counseling, all free of charge.

"One of the things we do for a woman in her exiting stages is we'll throw them a big sendoff party," said Knobel. "It's really a nice thing for these women to invite all their loved ones and hear them say nice things about them while they're still alive."

A few cancer survivors were included in the flash mob, as were a group of teachers and administration from Midtown Elementary School, Zumba enthusiasts, and supporters of Mary's Place.

It was actually the second flash mob Knobel has done at Monmouth Park, performing to Rihanna's "Pon de Replay" for Mary's Place in November 2010 and her third overall, with the other performance taking place at Monmouth Mall. 

Even the jockeys got in on the flash mob fun this year, as Joe Bravo was enlisted to help Knobel, her husband Tom, and friend Maggie Hammett sing the chorus, and many more of Monmouth Park's regular jockeys and employees make cameos in the video, including Chuck Lopez, who does a little dougie for us at the end.