When Belle darted off, Jake reacted quickly.

"Oh, that's how you wanna play, huh?" he grinned. "Have it your way!"

He quickly picked up both Ascot and Amaya, told them to hold on, and then ran as quickly as his strong legs could carry him. His feet pounded through the forest path, his sense of direction keen, his heartbeat strong and regular. He leapt over obstacles and creeks in strong bounds. Yet despite his athletic effort, he arrived just a touch behind the nimble little thief. He put down the two kids carefully.

"Darn, I must be getting old," he said in a joking tone. "Oh dearie, dearie me, my arthritis is acting up!"

His chuckles were cut short when the ruckus caused by Vanellope's appearance and escape at the race.

Jake listens intently to Ascot and Belle's plan, nodding in agreement.

"I'm going with Belle. She might need the backup, you never know when you could use some muscle."

Then he turns to Ralph.

"Think you're up to the challenge, big guy?"