True Gambling Stories #004: Phar Lap – Big Wins, Mysteries & Assassins
The month of May brings big horse racing. The Triple Crown gets underway with the Kentucky Derby May 5 and there will be plenty of action. In the spirit of the "Sport of Kings," True Gambling Stories brings you a unique story from horse racing's past.
Phar Lap was one of Australia's greatest champions, but was surrounded with mystery. That includes an interesting assassination attempt before the nation's biggest races, and then a mysterious death in California that shocked the sports world.
This tale has plenty of action for gambling, history, sports, and horse racing buffs. As you study those horses to place those Derby bets, give this month's story a listen. Guests include Australia's Geoff Armstrong, who wrote two books about the horse and is an amazing storyteller. Also, historian and Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation President Ed Bowen, who offers plenty of insight into horse racing's history.
Phar Lap – Huge Wins, Mysteries, and Assassins Time Stamps
0:20 | Intro |
1:00 | A bit of background on Episode #4 |
2:00 | Horse racing & the Kentucky Derby |
4:00 | Australia – economy and horse racing |
7:00 | The history of horse racing |
10:00 | Racing in the colonies & the peasants start betting |
13:30 | Phar Lap's ready to race |
15:30 | Tommy & Phar Lap |
17:30 | Phar Lap's importance Down Under |
19:00 | The Kentucky Derby & the Melbourne Cup |
22:00 | Bang! Assassination attempt |
24:00 | Interview with an eyewitness to the shooting |
26:30 | Show or shot? |
32:00 | Handicap? No problem |
33:00 | Mexico bound |
34:00 | The most amazing performance by a racehorse |
35:00 | Mysterious death & controversy |
39:30 | Outro and credits |
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You can also access the second episode by clicking here and the third episode here.
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In this Series
- 1 True Gambling Stories #001: Stanley Fujitake – The Craps King
- 2 True Gambling Stories #002: Holdem & Holdups (With Guests Doyle Brunson and TJ Cloutier)
- 3 True Gambling Stories #003: Parlays & Paydays – $5 Sports Bet Wins Big
- 4 True Gambling Stories #004: Phar Lap – Big Wins, Mysteries & Assassins
- 5 True Gambling Stories #005: Dead Man’s Hand – The Shot in the Back That Killed Wild Bill Hickok