Content Warning: This section discusses death by suicide, depression, and death by motor vehicle accident.

McDougall and Mika take the donkeys out for a run, hoping to adjust their bodies to the higher altitude of Colorado, but they are unable to run long distances and find themselves winded. A couple days later, the replacement for Zeke, who is still unable to run on his broken foot, arrives.

Her name is Tammy Pedretti, and she comes from a large family that attends the Fairplay burro races in honor of another member, Rob, who was a successful burro racer before he died by suicide. Upon hearing of Zeke’s struggles with depression, Tammy and the other Pedrettis drew links to Rob, who also struggled with depression and who had died after he had quit burro racing and most physical activity.

Tammy is a good match for Sherman, and the training goes well. The night before the race, Karin and Linda witness a motorcyclist die on the highway after a crash, and though they are shaken, Karin insists they move past it.

On the day of the race, rather than being skittish amidst the chaos of the starting line, Sherman is delighted by the hundreds of donkeys and competitors that crowd into Fairplay.