Ray Dokes returns from jail to discover the rural landscape of his childhood transformed. Determined to stay out of trouble, he heads to the farm of his old friend Pete Culpepper, a crusty Texas cowboy, who trains losing racehorses and whose debts are growing faster than his corn. Sonny Stanton, gambling addict and spoiled heir to a thoroughbred dynasty, is in the process of buying up an entire concession of farmland to build a casino and golfing resort. It seems the only one brave enough to stand in the way of Sonny is Etta Parr, Ray's old flame, who might be willing to forgive Ray if it wasn't for her pride and common sense. The situation is a minefield, one Ray is determined to avoid. He hooks up with Chrissie, a talented smartass jockey and tries to steer clear of trouble. But when a ten-million-dollar thoroughbred goes missing from the Stanton Stables, Sonny and his underlings push things too far to force the sale of the community's remaining farms. Ray reacts by coming up with a plan to stop Sonny in his tracks and right a few wrongs in the process.