Playing the Ponies

The Stooges grow weary of dwindling profits at their failing Flounder Inn restaurant. The business seems to be bleeding money and their fortunes stall as customers dwindle. The mood among the trio is tense, with bills piling up and little prospect of relief.

Two patrons discuss the dire state of their racehorse Thunderbolt, sparking a risky idea. The Stooges sense they could ride the horse's potential to profits if they become owners. Their ears prick up at the chance to swap food into racing fortune.

The Stooges decide to pivot from restaurateurs to aspiring racehorse owners and sell the Flounder Inn to Thunderbolt's proprietors. They bid farewell to the eatery and its steady, if dwindling, income. The sale marks a dramatic shift from cooking to chasing equine glory.

They inspect Thunderbolt's stables and confront a debilitated horse with a swayback. The disappointing sight dampens their enthusiasm but also sets the stage for their comic misadventures. The harsh reality of the horse's condition looms over their new plan.

Curly tries to galvanize Thunderbolt with a racing mindset, but misinterprets instructions and ends up running beside the horse. The attempt is chaotic and comic, underscoring the horse's unpredictable temperament. The moment hints at the heavy-handed approach the trio will take.

The trio mistakes spicy pepperino snacks for peanuts and feeds Thunderbolt the treats. The snack triggers a frenzied sprint toward water as the horse seeks relief. The quick, chaotic burst fuels their ridiculous belief in the peppers' stimulative power.

The Stooges become convinced that pepperinos are a potent racing stimulant and plan to use them as a strategic advantage. Larry remains skeptical, while the others embrace the improbable shortcut to success. They dream of transforming misfortune into a quick victory.

The trio doubles down on their pepperino plan and start preparing Thunderbolt for future races. They ignore potential fiery consequences, clinging to the hope of rapid profits. Their optimism grows even as the plan edges toward danger.

Thunderbolt bolts onto the track with unpredictable energy as the race begins. The Stooges scramble to control him, transforming the event into a chaotic, comedic spectacle. The horse's erratic behavior tests their improvisational skills.

Motorcycle-mounted Stooges zoom onto the track, wielding a bucket of water to douse the overheated horse. The cooling plunge stabilizes Thunderbolt enough to continue, if only for a moment. The absurd rescue underscores the Stooges' improvised problem-solving.

Against the odds, Thunderbolt surges to victory, defying expectations and the trio's questionable methods. The win brings shocking, comic relief and a rush of celebratory cheer from the Stooges. Their risky gamble appears to have paid off at last.

With success secured, they celebrate Thunderbolt's win with a feast of turkey and oats. The victory illustrates the unpredictable luck that fuels their livelihoods and their enduring, if chaotic, camaraderie. The feast marks a new, if precarious, chapter for the Stooges.