11-year-old Miranda Stevens secretly trains Starlight, the 3-year-old black stallion, whose wounds have healed. Riding him on Mr. Taylor's race track, Miranda proves that he is the fastest horse Shady Hills Ranch has ever seen. But she must keep it secret. If his owner, Cash Taylor, finds out, he will keep enter him in races all over the country. If Starlight wins, he will become top sire on Mr.Taylor's ranch, which is famous for its black race horses. If that happens, Mr. Taylor will never let Miranda buy him. Not knowing that Miranda is already riding Starlight, who has recovered without a limp from his injuries, Mr. Taylor hires Adam Barber to train him. Starlight throws Adam and fights him every step of the way until Adam declares he is spoiled beyond hope. Miranda dares to hope that he may yet be hers someday. But when Mr. Taylor hires expert horse trainer, Buck Brannaman, her hopes fall again. The final test will be Starlight's first race.