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 "Stripes," as Channing calls him,is soon introduced to the farm's misfit troupe of barnyard residents,led by a cranky 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 who's hiding out in the sticks until the heat dies down in Jersey.The un-aptly named bloodhound Lightening keeps a lazy eye on goings-on at the farm - in between naps.The Walsh farm borders the Turfway Racetrack,where highly skilled thoroughbreds compete for horse racing's top honor,the ultra-prestigious Kentucky Crown.From the first moment Stripes lays eyes on the track,he's hooked--he knows that if he could just get the chance,he could leave all those other horses in the dust.What he doesn't know is--he'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.