Michael Goodwin

Angela and Tony work on their social lives

After a daring escape from East Germany where he gets rescued, and in the process saves a fellow operative with a quick mechanical fix, MacGyver thinks that he deserves some peaceful vacation time.

As the Kentucky state assembly election approaches, two candidates emerge: the hardworking and honest newcomer Gerald Clancy, and William Winters, whose ethics are questionable. The big issue during the political campaign: the tobacco farmers are outraged when the Winters' foreman John Turner offers just 5 cents a pound for their tobacco down from last year's 8 cents a pound.

At the urging of his son Clay, Ned Logan buys Gauntlet, a young colt with a fast future. Ned is surprised when the horse sells cheap until he learns about a financial crisis in town. Asa Winters is forced to close down his bank after his reckless son William gambles away the town's savings. The sudden closure angers the townspeople, who are smugly dismissed by Asa on the steps of the bank.

As the 14th annual running of the Lexington Stakes draws near, the Logan's prize thoroughbred Gauntlet remains the horse to beat. News of Gauntlet's impressive practice times has even reached as far away as Europe.