Cindy McLean and her partner, Ben al-Rihani, can't find a jockey to ride Gratis in the Kentucky Derby. The only person besides Cindy who can handle the difficult horse is a stubborn and inexperienced groom named Wolf. But Cindy doesn't like Wolf's attitude, and refuses to give him a chance. Besides, he doesn't even have his jockey's license yet.

Cindy wants to ride Gratis herself, risking irreparable damage to her already injured shoulder. Ben won't allow it. But stubborn Cindy is hard to stop. Will someone come to her rescue before it's too late?