Review of Racing Stripes (2005) by ***Charlie*** — 13 Jul 2008

In the middle of a raging thunderstorm, a traveling circus accidentally leaves behind some very precious cargo--a baby zebra. The gangly little foal is rescued by horse farmer Nolan Walsh, who takes him home to his young daughter Channing.

Once a champion thoroughbred trainer, Walsh has given up horse training for a quiet life with Channing on their modest Kentucky farm. The little zebra, or â??Stripes,â?? as Channing calls him, is soon introduced to the farmâ??s misfit troupe of barnyard residents, led by a grumpy Shetland Pony named Tucker and Franny, a wise old goat who keeps the family in line.

The group is joined by Goose, a deranged big-city pelican whoâ??s hiding out in the sticks until the heat dies down in Jersey. Bird-brained rooster Reggie keeps everyone alert with his crack-of-dawn crowing and general hysteria, and the un-aptly named bloodhound Lightning keeps a lazy eye on goings-on at the farm--in between naps.

The Walsh farm borders the Dalrymple Estate, where highly skilled thoroughbreds train to compete for horse racingâ??s top honor, the ultra-prestigious Kentucky Open. From the first moment Stripes lays eyes on the track, heâ??s hooked--he knows that if he could just get the chance, he could leave all those other horses in the dust.

What he doesnâ??t know is--heâ??s not exactly a horse. But with characteristic zeal, he devotes himself to training for the big time, with a little help from Tucker, who has coached a host of champion racehorses in the past.

Channing has a similar ambition--she longs to train as a jockey, but her protective father refuses to let her compete in the potentially dangerous sport. But her father canâ??t ignore her enthusiasm (or her stubbornness) for long, and she convinces him to come out of retirement to train her and Stripes for the Kentucky Open.

The neighboring Estate is run by the ruthless queen of the Kentucky racing circuit, the incredibly wealthy and exceptionally coldhearted Clara Dalrymple. Stripes constantly battles the ridicule of the Estateâ??s thoroughbreds-in-training, led by spoiled bully Trentonâ??s Pride, who taunts him relentlessly about his lack of breeding and--unusual appearance.

As he thrusts himself into a world of elite athletes, intense competition and enormous stakes, Stripes must prove heâ??s fast enough and tough enough to run with the big horses if he wants to land in the winnerâ??s circle at the legendary Kentucky Open.