New book tells 'amazing' story behind Winning Colors' Kentucky Derby

Ask a horseplayer what his or her favorite movie is, and the answer could very well be the 1989 cult classic "Let It Ride." Author Mark Paul has revived that spirit with The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told, a crazier-than-fiction tale of three young gamblers, a Mexican drug cartel and the 1988 Kentucky Derby.

Paul waited years (and for the statute of limitations to run out) to tell this heart-pounding, true story adventure of three friends who make a big bet on a fast filly to win the Derby: a longshot named Winning Colors. But when the friends discover they wagered with a drug cartel, collecting their winnings becomes a life and death adventure that will leave racing fans on the edge of their box seats.

"I have had this amazing story to tell for 30 years, but with tax consequences and ongoing fear of the Mexican cartel, I thought waiting to write the story was prudent," Paul said.

The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told has shot to the top of eight Amazon best-seller lists in five months, and has been optioned for a TV series. 

As the guys watch Winning Colors strike out along the Derby trail in early 1988, the action turns to the backstretch at Santa Anita Park, where trainer D. Wayne Lukas has to keep his star filly together for his NFL team owner client, Eugene Klein. Young jockey Gary Stevens also has something to prove with the critical role of helping Winning Colors harness her devastating speed. 

"Gary and Angie Stevens were extremely helpful and accommodating to me with interviews," Paul said. "It was especially important to me to show respect to Mr. Lukas and to his son Jeff, who was so influential to her Derby win. I also wanted to show the hard work and tender loving care the grooms and back stretch workers shower on these beautiful horses every day. They are the unsung heroes in this fantastic and beautiful sport."

The book is a fun way to spend a quarantined afternoon with a group of guys you just know from your local track. The 80s cultural details and "before they were Hall of Famers" appearances by racing legends offer a dose of sweet nostalgia to soften even the hardest-core gambler. 

"I love horse racing and wanted to share a story about horse racing in a Golden Racing Era of the late 1980s," Paul said. "You had to buy a Turf Club Membership and wear a coat and tie to get in. Women dressed up and wore hats every weekend. You could not find a place to park your car. It was stylish and a place to party, be seen, and have fun.

"We could use a good time true life horse story about now."

Get your copy at markpaulauthor.com -- and while you're there, check out the the book trailer that has more than 100,000 views featuring great color photos of scenes in the book.