The first look at the stage shows colored lights dappled across in a dreamy way, a place of serenity. A second look and there is camera flash lights up the stage to disturb the tranquility. This dynamic contrast of calmness and excitement was the wave of feeling that was presented throughout the play. The dialogue presented a flowing mixture of humor and drama. The actors could laugh and then yell, allowing the audience to feel the shift of emotions. The contrast allows the audience to relate to the ups and downs of life. In the first scene in the south in 1861, pre-Civil War, victories and fails are what define the main character, black jockey Simon Cato. He is the master of the track but a slave to two white children. His only dream is to be free and he works towards this dream riding his horse Pure Confidence. The horse’s name defines him for he is arrogantly confident in his ability to race horses. He struts across the stage as if it were his and hollers about the unstoppable team of his horse and himself. When he wins he splits the winnings with a white man named Colonel Johnson, the owner of Pure Confidence. The scenes between them represent the issue of race. They are both conscious of race and at one point the Colonel is too afraid to shake Simon’s hand at the thought of humiliating himself. However, I found their scenes to be crafted in an engaging way to show a special bond between them. They both respect and admire the other and no matter their differences they still can confide in each other as friends. Simon tells Johnson that he wants to be free and devises a plan so Johnson can help him be free. Johnson sees no need, thinking that Simon is already free, because he is doing things that other blacks cannot do. The essential question is presented as, what does it mean to be free?

It is now 1877 in Saratoga, New York, in the second scene, and relationships that were conceived in the first scene are revisited with painful reconciliation. The scene returns to master-slave relationships that once were but are no longer after the Civil War. Two women, wives of Simon and the Colonel come together as well as Simon and Colonel. The two women both had the audience laughing at various times. The way they talked to their husbands and how they responded to each other was delightful and sometimes heartbreaking. They added to the contrast that made this play so memorable.

In the end, the Colonel and Mattie want Caroline and Simon to come back to the South, but Simon disagrees, because he has his freedom. But, the freedom he has obtained is not the one he had hoped for, and he is in a predicament trying to choose where to go. Here, Simon understands the true meaning of freedom. Freedom is having the chance to decide what to do. But, after choosing he will be a slave to his choice. The ending scene left me thinking about the choice we make in our life.

The issues in this play were laid out in a way that made you think and feel for the characters. At times I would cheer on a character or I would be crushed that the character failed. I would recommend this play, so go race to it!