Brian didn't know too much about professional racing. The jockey uniform requirement was just another of those things. Fortunately the Fair Chance Racing Association, the ones in charge of the race competition that day, had provided extra uniforms in case a rider had forgotten or damaged his own.

"I look ridiculous."

The horse neighed in amusement at the sight of her partner. The jockey uniform Brian had to wear in order to participate in the competition was bright purple with vibrant green stripes. The horse's amusement though quickly turned to protest and she backed away.

"Sorry Earth Dancer, but if you don't wear this we can't compete." Brian said simply. Earth Dancer stared into the set of blue eyes before she slowly moved forward and allowed the young brunette to place a matching saddle on her.

Brian smiled. Thanks Earth Dancer. The horse snorted, but allowed him to move her from the stables and out into the sunlit area. His friends were already there waiting in the small holding spot that would in turn lead to the practice fields and the racing arena where the other jockeys would be waiting. Their welcoming smiles turned to absolute shock.

"Brian…that outfit is…" Red Butler's words died in his throat as he stared in dismay at the garish uniform. Brian grinned. "Outrageous…Shocking… and…absolutely perfect."

"Huh?!" His friends couldn't help saying. Brian continued to grin back making them wonder if there friend had lost his mind. Finally Rainbow Brite spoke. "I know you don't want to hurt our feelings Brian, but even I have to admit that is one terrible combination of colors." She finished.

"No one will take you seriously if you wear THAT out on the track!" Red Butler protested. Next to him the other kids nodded their heads in agreement. It was Shy Violet who caught on first.

"Exactly Red!" she said brightly as a smile appeared on her face. Before the others could comment she decided to clarify. "That getup of Brian's may be outlandish, but it's the perfect surprise tactic. If no one takes Brian seriously, then they won't regard him as a threat."

Startled the kids looked at Brian who smiled. "You got it Violet." A sudden movement caused him to automatically look towards the stable entrance. Another boy had come out dressed in white on a matching horse. Both rider and horse guffawed and neighed in amusement at the purple and green disaster while Brian smiled sheepishly. As soon as the other boy left, Brian's awkward smile immediately evaporated and he stared at his friends with grim determination. "And that's one mistake there going to regret."

Randall watched with great glee as his hated rival entered the practice area wearing the attire that was so graciously provided for him. "Gee Paperboy! I didn't know you were such a big fan of Larney the Lizard!" he jeered. The other jockeys laughed hysterically at the comment.

Brian frowned, but did his best to tune out the jeers and taunting as he led Earth Dancer around the practice field in a series of circles in an attempt to calm his nerves. The brown and white horse nickered and turned her head towards a series of jumps. Brian smiled gently. "Let's do it Earth Dancer." He said softly before urging her forward.

Randall grinned wickedly as he watched the paperboy race "Crusader" around the practice jumps. The boy had stupidly misjudged the obstacles and ended up knocking over most of the poles placed on the hurdles. To top it off "Crusader" had refused to jump over the more complicated barriers. Grinning he left to go grab a front row seat to the paperboy's humiliation.

In the stands surrounding the warm up field and the track the inhabitants of Rainbowland sat. Well most of them anyways. Stormy jumped to her feet as her hand shot up into the air. Red Butler and Canary Yellow who were on either side of her quickly forced her hand down.

"Stormy!" Stormy growled in response. "He did something to the bars didn't he!" she cried out. Shy Violet studied the field before glancing over at the book she was reading. "Actually in accordance to the rules, the bars are currently at the right height." Violet adjusted her glasses before continuing. "There shouldn't be any reason why Earth Dancer should not be making those jumps."

"And Red and I saw her jump over higher ones then that." Buddy Blue added. Rainbow Brite frowned. "I know Brian can jump those poles. Why is he doing this?" Indigo smiled softly. "He's playing his part. The outfit is only part of it." As the other kids looked at her she smiled once more. "Brian knows what he's doing." That said she turned to look back at the racetrack.

A young rider dressed in black with the exception of a yellow lightning bolt was currently running the field. True to his alias "Lightning," he quickly maneuvered the black horse through the obstacles with blazing speed, completely unaware of a loud voice over a microphone commenting on the run. Lightning though had a cocky side, which cost him. A slight miscalculation caused the horse to nick the last pole making it fall to the ground.

Disgusted Lightning watched the board and smiled faintly. Mistake or not he was still in the lead. The smile grew when he noticed the last rider. The rookie jockey had just entered the area and was smiling at a row of empty seats. No threat there…the boy couldn't even jump over the poles. He snickered to himself.

Brian smiled at his friends who were cheering him on. Looking at the stands he could also see Russell and his Mom and Dad there as well. His roaming eyes met a set of triumphant ones. Sure enough they belonged to his arch enemy. The rich boy was grinning wickedly at him. Brian looked at him and smirked.

The moment the whistle blew the pair was off. With a speed to momentarily rival Starlight's, they raced over to the first jump and jumped over it effortlessly before racing to the next. The speed and skill they had used to navigate the various jumps had the people cheering.

As soon as it had started it was over. Brian halted his horse and waited for the results, smiling at a dumbstruck Lightning. Looking back over at the stands, he saw his friends jumping up and down with excitement. His eyes once again met Randall's and he shrugged with a slight grin on his face. Randall however didn't smile back and glared at him lividly.