Danny Farrell lives in Mother Ryan's boardinghouse along with other racetrack followers, "Colonel" Harris, Harry Myron, "General" Jeff, Freddie, "Stuffy" and Laurie Andrews. Jeff, a blind newsstand man, sells Stuffy's racing tips at his stand. Danny dreams of making big money on "getaway day" at the track so he can return home to Center City and prove he is a success. Although he will not admit it, Danny is in love with Laurie, who dates Stanley Shaw, a horse owner. Shaw proposes to Laurie, suggesting that a marriage to him would raise her low social status, but Laurie rejects his proposal. One night, the boys at the boardinghouse pawn Mother Ryan's statue of her husband while she is out of town and use the money to bet on a horse. Their horse wins, but is disqualified for rough riding. Later, Danny is hit by a car, and after Danny fakes serious injury, the driver, Carr, pays him $600 to forget the incident and offers him a job as a trainer at his stables, Bay Meadows. Danny does not immediately accept the position and uses the money to get the statue out of hock. When another hot tip comes up, the men pawn the statue again and win over $6,000, which enables them to return the statue and keep some money. Danny decides to return home and proposes to Laurie, but she thinks his proposal is insincere and rejects him. Danny takes Jeff to the races and, unaware that Jeff has bet all his savings on the wrong horse, tells him that his horse won. Realizing Jeff is now destitute, Danny gives him enough money to move into the old-age home he wants to go to because all of his friends are there. Danny's generosity wins Laurie's love, and she now accepts his proposal, having broken up with Shaw. All the friends leave for the track at Bay Meadows for the next racing season, and Danny accepts the job at the stables.
