Three Men on a Horse

Meek Erwin Trowbridge, fed up with his sneering brother-in-law, unappreciative boss, and unsupportive wife, ends up in a hotel bar after a drinking binge. The liquor loosens his resolve and he vents about his life, drawing the attention of other bar patrons. This night marks the spark that will push him toward an unlikely fortune.

While chatting with Charlie and Frankie, Erwin overhears their talk of bad luck at the track and offers his pick for the next race. They ignore him at first because he is drunk, but his selection starts to prove itself when the results come in.

Seeing the drunken man’s seeming talent, Patsy convinces the trio to bet their remaining money on Erwin’s next choice. They pool what little cash they have left and place the bet, betting on a hunch rather than experience.

The bets pay off, and Erwin’s picks keep winning throughout the day, turning the trio into sudden rich men. They decide to hold onto the profits as a potential goldmine, dreaming of easy fortune.

Patsy calls Erwin's boss to demand a raise for him as his manager. The ploy backfires when J.G. Carver fires Erwin instead, leaving him unemployed and humiliated.

Erwin feels the sting of the firing, but Patsy gives him 10% of the winnings and argues that betting could bring more money than writing greeting card poems. The money eases the blow, and a new possibility opens up.

The following day, Erwin makes his selections again but discards his first choice for the sixth race, arousing Charlie’s suspicions. The others grow increasingly wary that Erwin could be deceiving them.

Patsy pressures Erwin to bet all his winnings on his second selection for the sixth race. Erwin has told Mabel that he never bets, fearing it would somehow drain his talent.

They go to the racetrack to watch the race, and the discarded first choice wins by a narrow margin over the second pick. The thrill is tempered by growing distrust as the plan spirals.

Back at the hotel, Patsy attacks Erwin, stirring tension among the group. They then hear on the radio that the winner has been disqualified, which shocks them further and triggers Erwin’s impulse to defend himself.

Clarence shows up, and Erwin punches him as well, expressing his growing anger at the friends who dragged him into the scheme. The confrontation underscores how the venture has frayed every relationship tied to the wagering.

Carver arrives, desperate to fulfill a Mother's Day card contract, and offers Erwin a raise and a new office. Audrey persuades him to accept, seeing it as a chance to stabilize his life.

Erwin bids the gamblers goodbye, acknowledging that for the first time he has truly bet for real and that it has cost him his knack. He decides to leave the gambling world behind.

With the new office secured, Erwin forecasts a new chapter where he must resist temptation and focus on his writing work. Audrey's support and the promise of a steady job mark a clear turning point away from the volatile betting spree.