That Gang of Mine 1940

In this spirited tale, Ben, an aging horseman, travels with his beloved thoroughbred Bluenight from Kentucky to New York, hoping to forge him into a championship racer. With luck running thin and funds running lower, the East Side boys grant Bluenight makeshift quarters, while Algy Wilkes convinces his father to cover the horse’s entrance fee. Muggs Maloney, an ambitious but untested jockey, climbs into the saddle for the race, only to lose his nerve on the track and let Bluenight slip backward.

From the stands, Morgan, a respected trainer, spots the horse’s true potential and urges Mr. Wilkes to enter the race with an experienced rider. But Muggs is determined to ride, and his friends press Mr. Wilkes into giving him another chance. Complications arrive the night before the race when Nick Buffalo, a crooked bookie, schemes to sabotage Bluenight. The boys uncover the plot and act to save the horse, thwarting the sabotage.

Come race day, Muggs realizes he cannot guide Bluenight to victory. In a show of grit, he uses his fists to persuade Jimmy Sullivan to take the saddle. With Jimmy aboard, Bluenight surges to the finish and is declared the winner.

This story emphasizes teamwork, nerve, and a willingness to do what’s best for the horse, even when pride or fear threatens to derail a dream.