With all of the lengthy, detailed exposition that went in to this plot PRIOR to the start of the race, this show could have used about another 7-8 minutes to really fill it out; the actual race..while well filmed (LOTS of location shooting, hand-held camera shots, etc) seemed too condensed to really build tension and excitement. In hindsight, maybe 4 minutes LESS of dialogue, etc to set up what is essentially an action episode.
I must be dense, but the entry of the third horse into the race was tough to follow; I guess it was done to jack up the $ stakes in the race, and thereby increase the likelihood it would be rigged...right?
Another mid-season #10 show where Ken Curtis, who was proving to be popular with home viewers, was prominently featured throughout. He really got the worst of the fight near the end but, as always, recovered and moved on.
Always a huge relief to hear Dillon's off-camera "HOLD IT", which another comment here cites as far-fetched. I don't think so; Dillon clearly stated he was taking a stage to Cheyenne to make sure there was no foul play as the race neared it conclusion.
The end of the race was excitingly paced and staged; had the script been better balanced, there would have been time for some well-deserved celebration near the end, with more interaction between Festus and Linda Foster...not much of an actress, but she and Festus would have made an odd but charming couple. She clearly had the hots for him, and the final scene was rather touching.
Also of interest is this episode's RE-UNION of 1.) Director Chris Nyby 2.) Actor Arch Johnson and 3.) composer Fred Steiner's great "Hee-Haw" hoedown musical cues...all of which featured prominently in Twilight Zone's excellent comedy "Showdown with Rance McGrew" a couple years earlier. LR.
