A Boston sports bookie takes a massive bet from a small-time Chicago crime boss on a college rowing team at the Head of the Charles Regatta, and he willingly takes the mobster's bet in hopes of a massive payoff. When the boss finds out the bet is a sham, he sends two henchmen to throw the race. When the sabotage is unsuccessful, the mobster sends the men to steal the money back from the bookie, and the two men and their company all converge as the regatta's finale begins.