The New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, Monmouth Park officials, and a group of dedicated animal welfare advocates have joined forces to form a non-profit association responsible for finding new homes and new careers for the noble and deserving horses who have raced at the track.

            Second Call is a Thoroughbred adoption and placement program. Its mission is to ensure that the horses who are no longer able to compete on the racetrack can find a second calling or career. Thoroughbreds accepted into the program are rested, evaluated, re-acclimated, retrained and then placed into loving homes able to provide for them and care for them properly.

Second Call differs from the many other aftercare programs regionally and across the country because it will work with the New Jersey Thoroughbred horsemen and Monmouth Park exclusively.

            “With this formidable partnership comes the responsibility to do right by the horses,” said Bill Knauf, the assistant general manager of Monmouth Park. “At some point, the horse’s racing career comes to an end. All of us at Monmouth Park and the New Jersey horsemen want to provide these wonderful athletes with a second calling and a new beginning. We are all vested in providing the means to help.”

            Several of the former officials of the New Jersey Chapter of ReRun Inc., including President Jane Gilbert, are now affiliated with Second Call.

            “This is the perfect time to partner with Monmouth Park. All of our experiences and relationships will help build a stronger future for these amazing animals,” said Laurie Condurso-Lane, the former co-founder and program director of the local ReRun chapter who also hosts the popular Dawn Patrol educational program at the racetrack.

            Second Call, which soon will launch its website, has several fundraising events planned for the near future. On Saturday, September 15 it will participate in the New Jersey Breeders Day and Joey P Retirement Gala at Monmouth Park and on Sunday, October 21 it will host the Fall For Horses All Thoroughbred Charity Horse Show and Family Festival at the Horse Park of New Jersey from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

            For more information or to find out how to help, contact Laurie Condurso-Lane at 732-521-1370.