"The Race" is the first episode of season 2 of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.
Dr. Mike is given a horse named Flash in the Sky by Snowbird, Cloud Dancing's wife, as thanks for inoculating the Cheyenne children against smallpox. When Dr. Mike wants Sully to race, he refuses to race for money saying he doesn't like what it does to people. Dr. Mike meets Dr. Cassidy when his rider, Drew, is kicked in the head by a horse. Dr. Cassidy refuses to take her medical opinion seriously. Dr. Mike wants to run Flash in the race, but is not allowed by Loren, Jake, and Hank, who say it's only for men. Brian cooks an unusual pie, despite being told by Colleen boys don't cook. Hank's horse turns up lame and Dr. Mike asks him to ride but when he tries, her horse rejects him and he is furious and tries to beat her but is prevented by Sully. Meanwhile, Drew suffers another mishap, but Dr. Cassidy again refuses to listen to Dr. Mike. Loren tells Brian boys don't cook and when Brian says his creation is called Surprise Pie, Jake says the only surprise will be if someone doesn't die. Drew has a relapse for the third time and collapses and dies. Brian wins first place for his pie, with Colleen coming in third. Against his principles, Sully offers to ride, but Dr. Mike decides to disguise herself as a man with Sully's help. She rides Flash and wins the race, but Loren takes away Dr. Mike's prize. However, everyone considers her the real winner and gathers around Dr. Mike and Flash. Jake puts the winner's prize of flowers around Flash.
This episode provides examples of:
- Bad People Abuse Animals: Hank tries to beat Michaela's horse, but Sully stops him.
- Disqualification-Induced Victory: Played with. Michaela wins, but is disqualified and Loren takes away the flower garland and gives it to Jake. But everyone considers her the real winner anyway, so Jake puts the flower garland around her horse's neck after all.
- Real Men Cook: Brian's Surprise Pie takes first place.
- Stay in the Kitchen: Dr. Mike may be accepted as the town physician, but that doesn't mean she can ride a horse in the race, and Dr. Cassidy doesn't have to take her medical advice seriously.
