American Dream Derby - Episode 5 Summary

'Rise Of The Underdogs' By realitybites

Before we get to the exciting action, let's take a few more quotes out of context, shall we?

Tara W noted that she was tired of the stable and stated a desire to pick off the owners one by one. Well, it would help if one of you would win an owners' challenge.

Dean repeated the opinion that he needs the money and that LeVar owes him a trip to the mansion, since he took him with him many moons ago.

Thankfully, Steve is here to explain this week's OWNERS' CHALLENGE. The good news is that everyone gets a chance to ride - Sara "I wanna learn to ride!" is particularly gleeful at this tidbit. The bad news is they get to ride... donkeys. The race is 50 yards down the Santa Anita front stretch. The contestants are provided with sticks and carrots to encourage them to go in the right direction. Tara C is confident that she has a leg up in this competition, since she's ridden and broken thousands of horses in her lifetime. LeVar, on the other hand, looks very awkward.

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And away they go!! LeVar's donkey takes off and he gets an early lead. But he makes a turn in the wrong direction and allows Tara C to catch up. But he gets it going again and won by a head. So LeVar wins for the second week in a row. No surprise he took Tara C and Sara with him. He also took Eric again, and that was a bit of a surprise.

Tara C pulled a leg muscle and was in misery for a little while. This allowed the stable hands a little break from the grind of the stable. Dean used this opportunity to say that LeVar let him down and he's through with helping him out. And a little more is revealed about Tara W's dislike of Sara. She distrusts Sara's sincerity.

Meanwhile, LeVar gets a mini-profile. He wants to win and gave a few items on his shopping list if that happens. He also said not to underestimate him. Impossible at this point, since he's got a lot of power and a nice bankroll.

As the sun sets over the Santa Anita track, Steve tells us about the STABLE HAND CHALLENGE. It was a little hard for me to understand, so bear with me. The unlucky stable hands are strapped to a contraption known as a hot walker - usually used for cooling down horses after a race. The harness is attached from above and moves slowly counterclockwise. The contestants have to balance themselves on a circular board only a few inches wide and above a swirling pool of political commercials from the past elections. The goal is to stay on as long as possible, and the last person wins.

Dean fell off first, then Susan. Tara W did well, but was the last to fall. Deanna was declared the winner.

LeVar felt a little sorry for Dean's predicament, but had no such sympathy for Tara or Deanna. And going against my advice, all the owners bet on Deanna, making a bit of cash for themselves.

Oh boy, here's a mini-profile of Tara W. She loves horses and wants to learn about racing.

Back at the stable, Susan rants and raves about how she wants the winner to have a passion for horses. She doesn't think anyone in the big house does.

Meanwhile, at the big house, Tara C wants to be put up for the GUTS MATCH because she feels it's her moment. LeVar talks about putting up Sara, and she doesn't like that idea much. He spent more time generally talking in circles and not showing his hand.

Lead stable hand Deanna is leaning toward Susan because, well, she's annoying, and everyone would be better off without her.

Later, in the Chandelier Room, all the contestants gather - but not in their Sunday finest; must have been in the wash that day. LeVar picks Tara C. She's looking forward to the selection. Deanna picks Susan. Neither player has any questions for Alex. Tara picks Big Wagner because a series of coincidences led her to him. Susan picks Nigel No Mates because she figured he had no chance and she wants to go home.

At the big race, everyone bet on Big Wagner except Tara W, who didn't make any bet.

They're off and running! It's neck and neck all the way to the finish. The photo shows Nigel No Mates won by a nose. Everyone is shocked, especially Susan. But it gave her the resolve to stay in the game.

Tara C is philosophical, noting that horse racing is unpredictable. Sara seemed saddest to see her go. Deanna, on the other hand, was delighted at the crumbling of the owners' alliance.

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