Replace the horse

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

79141

Title

Replace the horse

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In this whimsical science fiction tale, trainer Arthur Holly is recruited by eccentric scientist Willy Dunstan to manage a stable of 'plugs'—decrepit horses enhanced by secret antigravity technology. Through clever binoculars and hidden circuits, Dunstan's steeds dominate the racetrack, but the high-stakes deception eventually collapses under its own weight, leading to unexpected consequences for all involved.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Replace the Horse* by Laurence M. Janifer, skilled trainer Arthur Holly is recruited by his friend Greg to work for a mysterious stable owner named Willy Dunstan. Dunstan, a brilliant but unconventional scientist, offers Holly a partnership in a stable populated by 'plugs'—horses deemed worthless by the racing industry. Despite Holly's initial suspicion, fueled by his recent purchase of a decrepit horse, Dunstan's charisma and the promise of a lucrative venture persuade him to join. Dunstan reveals his secret: an antigravity device. By placing a printed circuit under the saddle and powering it via a beam transmitted through special binoculars held by Dunstan from the stands, the horse and jockey become effectively weightless. This technology allows even broken-down animals to run faster than any healthy competitor. Holly, though initially reluctant due to ethical concerns about cheating, is convinced by the method's immediate success. They enter a race with their star horse, 'First Hope,' a former plug. Despite heavy odds, First Hope wins decisively, shocking the public and judges. The duo continues their winning streak, accumulating a fortune while keeping their secret tight. However, the pressure mounts. Holly's jockey, Teddy Wills, senses the technology's instability, fearing a catastrophic failure. During a major race in Nevada, the crowd grows large, and Dunstan becomes distracted by a heckler. For a critical second, the binoculars are knocked out of position, cutting the power to the antigravity field. The full weight of the horse crashes back onto First Hope, causing the animal to collapse instantly. The race is lost, and the subsequent investigation exposes Dunstan's gimmick. The story concludes with the fallout: Dunstan is taken in by the government for his invention, Teddy moves to Mexico City to continue his career as a jockey, and Arthur Holly returns to his honest work as a trainer at an amusement park, riding Shetland ponies. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked scientific ambition and the importance of integrity, wrapped in a lighthearted, fast-paced adventure.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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data/epubs/pg79141.epub

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Categories

• Short Stories
• Science Fiction
• Horse Racing
• Inventions
• Horse Trainers