A young woman returns to Kentucky after several years in boarding school, and discovers that a very valuable horse that is to be entered in the Derby is about to be forfeited due to the machinations of a rival. She determines to ride the horse in the Derby and win the race.

Easterner Robert Wagner has been lured West by the Government's announcement of new land grants. As he prepares for the approaching land rush he make the acquaintance of Westerner Jim Henderson and his wild daughter, Tex. Tex is a true daughter of the frontier unhampered by conventions or skirts and while she finds herself smitten with Wagner, he however is hampered by his New England sensibilities and can't abide a woman that behaves as Tex does. It takes a truly grim turn of events before Tex can prove herself to this reserved New Englander.