The series centers on an intuitive tough guy named Chester "Ace" Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman), who has always been involved with gambling, from bookmaking and money laundering to casino operations. Recently released from prison after three years, he teams with Gus Demitriou (Dennis Farina), his longtime chauffeur and muscle, to craft a complex plan involving the Santa Anita Racetrack in California. As they plot out Ace's strategy, the pair recruits Turo Escalante (John Ortiz), a successful trainer with a sordid reputation. In the meantime, an old trainer (Nick Nolte) nurtures a possible breakthrough thoroughbred, while a ragtag group of four racetrack groupies band together to try to catch lightning in a bottle -