Monmouth Park Sale Helps Give Racehorses a Second Act

A sale featuring racing memorabilia -- from commemorative hats from past Haskell races to a jockey's riding boots -- is happening this weekend at and will benefit an organization that finds productive second acts for thoroughbreds once their racing days are through.

Ginger Malone, who was working at the sale when it kicked off on Friday and is recently retired after working about a dozen years at the track, said, "We want the horses to have a nice retirement life -- like me."

Laurie Condurso-Lane, founder of the New Jersey chapter of ReRun, said that her father owned horses while she was growing up and she stumbled upon the organization while trying to find a spot for her long-time pony when his racing days had been reigned in.

She ended up in Kentucky, where ReRun originated, and found that it offered the opportunity to rehabilitate, retrain and find adoptive homes for thoroughbreds when their careers on the track are over. Condurso-Lane got involved with ReRun and the founders eventually "passed the torch" to her.

Condurso-Lane is now the program director for ReRun, which holds an annual 4th of July sale at Monmouth Park of racing memorabilia as a fundraiser. Money raised goes to support about 40 horses each year, including training them for new jobs, feeding them and covering any medical bills. ReRun has an annual budget of $250,000, said Condurso-Lane.

Malone gave credit to fellow organizers Lynda MacDonald and Lisa Kryston for their efforts towards the fundraiser, which is located next to the walking ring and will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Aside from the merchandise available for purchase at the sale -- like collectibles, glasses, old programs, pins, and hats -- the sale also features a number of raffles. Trackgoers can try their luck at winning tickets to the upcoming Haskell, a lunch at the track or the opportunity to visit announcer Larry Collmus in his booth and watch him call a race. Fans will also have the opportunity to meet their favorite jockeys.

For more information about ReRun, Inc., visit their Facebook page and Web site.