ReRun Launches New Program to Benefit Former Racehorses

ReRun, the national non-profit Thoroughbred adoption group, will launch its new fundraising program Running for ReRun at Saratoga Race Course July 30. The first horse signed up for the program is Cooking the Books owned by ReRun's vice-president, Felice Busto's Sea Horse NJ Stables.

Cooking the Books, is a 3-year old New York bred trained by Barclay Tagg, and Busto will donate a percentage of earnings from his race to ReRun. Jockey, Richard Migliore, will wear the ReRun name on his pants during the race to raise awareness for the program. Horses and owners who participate and donate a portion of their earnings from a race will be posted on ReRun's Web site and recognized periodically in major racing publications.

"We hope other owners will support this effort by donating a portion of their earnings to ReRun," said the organization's executive director Laurie Condurso Lane. "It can take months to transition a racehorse from the track to a new home and during that time ReRun pays board, veterinary, and other expenses. ReRun operates primarily with volunteers, while fundraising and donations enable us to offer these important adoption services."

Busto, who got involved in racing as a result of acquiring an ex-racehorse five years ago, said she hoped to encourage other owners to follow suit.

"People don't realize that these highly trained athletes can later excel in second careers as hunters, jumpers, dressage, or trail riding prospects --you name it," Busto said.

ReRun promotes Thoroughbreds as a versatile breed and has found a niche in matching racehorse's temperaments, talents, and physical capabilities with prospective adopters. The organization, founded in Kentucky in 1998, has chapters in New York, Virginia, Kentucky, New Jersey, and Illinois.