The Sporting Chance

Pat Winthrop becomes engaged to Bob Shelby, a southerner who owns Kentucky Boy, a horse entered in the Nassau Handicap. To save her father from going to jail, Pat later breaks her engagement to Bob and accepts the proposal of Darrell Thornton, a smooth bounder insincere in racing as in love. Bob owes Thornton money, and, the night before the handicap, Thornton attaches Kentucky Boy. Bob steals the horse from his stall, and Bob's jockey rides him to victory. The purse saves Pat's father from jail and allows Bob to repay Thornton. Pat and Bob are married.

Directed by Oscar Apfel, The Sporting Chance leans on a strong ensemble — Lou Tellegen, Dorothy Phillips, George Fawcett — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1925.