A local detective investigates the murder of a businessman who returned to town after years of being away. The detective holds a conflict of interest in the case: his sister was swindled years ago by the victim.

As the only son of the only Black family in an otherwise entirely white and racist town, a teenage boy has always struggled to fit in. When he gets his chance to participate in the town's big horse race, he hopes it's finally enough to prove himself, but his feelings for his neighbor's son complicate the day even more.