The Bet: Some of the townsfolks make bets of their own on Laura or Nellie. Doc Baker is so secure about Laura's victory that he bets a silver dollar with Nellie's father.
Crocodile Tears: Nellie throws a tantrum and sheds fake tears to convince her mother to buy her a race horse so she can compete against Laura.
Hilarity Ensues: The last time an Oleson woman pushed a horse she was riding too far, it resulted in an accident that gave Nellie a concussion and (possibly) temporary paralysis. Here, Mrs. Oleson tests an ill-tempered race horse, resulting in the horse taking off for a wild race throughout the city and knocking Harriet off it against a hay pile. All of which is played for comedy this time.
It's Personal: Nellie's interest in beating Laura in the race are certainly fueled by the events of "Bunny".
Obvious Stunt Double: Some of horse scenes in the final race qualify, but especially one where Doc Baker is driving his wagon, and even from afar it's made clear that the man driving is not Kevin Hagen.
Privileged Rival: Nellie is able to pose a threat big enough to make everyone but Laura give up on the race by having her mother buy a thoroughbred race horse. Meanwhile, Laura has to work to afford Bunny's shoelaces and her family has a hard time even affording new shoes for the girls.
Sweet Tooth: When Willie wakes up with stomach pains, his parents are afraid it might be something serious and Laura rushes to get Doc Baker (who was going on his path to visit his mother on Sleepy Eye). It turns out that he'd eaten six candy apples in secret because his mother wouldn't let him have any sweets until he raced the horse (she planned to count on Willie's lighter weight to make an advatage against Laura in the race).
Ungrateful Bitch: Laura rushes Bunny to catch up with Doc Baker, whom she'd seen going out to of town to visit his mother in her birthday, and bring him back to examine Willie when Mr. Oleson tells her that he woke up sick, only to tire out Bunny and make it more difficult for her to run. Mrs. Oleson not only doesn't thank her but takes advantage of the situation to insist that the race not be postponed, so that Nellie, as the only competitor, can be automatically declared winner.
