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  • The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told: A True Tale of Three Gamblers, The Kentucky Derby, and the Mexican Cartel

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The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told: A True Tale of Three Gamblers, The Kentucky Derby, and the Mexican Cartel Kindle Edition

by Mark Paul (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars (4,002)
#1 Best Seller in Horse Racing

Would you bet your life on a 50-1 shot? Read the riveting true story of the gamblers that bet millions on the Kentucky Derby against the Mexican Cartel!

The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told is an inspiring personal narrative about a filly who broke through the male-dominated world of horseracing and inspired crowds of men and women alike, along with a trio of gamblers who embark on an unforgettable adventure that's as epic as the history victory of Winning Colors. It's Seabiscuit meets Narcos, and the best true-life gambling story ever told.

In the late 1980s, a spectacular three-year-old female racehorse named Winning Colors was being groomed for success under her famous "Hollywood" trainer, D. Wayne Lukas, and the billionaire owner of the San Diego Chargers pro-football team, Eugene Klein. Meanwhile, three fun-loving gamblers, Miami Paul, Dino Mateo, and Big Bernie believed that Winning Colors could be the unlikely female winner of the 1988 Kentucky Derby.

When the gamblers unknowingly place their longshot bet with members of a suspected drug cartel at a racetrack in Tijuana, Mexico, they must figure out how to claim their prize -- without getting killed in the process. In a heart-pounding race of their own across the U.S.-Mexico border, the trio come face-to-face with suspected killers, are arrested by the Border Patrol, and fumble their way through the riskiest bet of their lives.

Recent Praise: The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told:

“An exciting read from the get-go… an energized narrative surrounding a historical sporting event… the author relays (the story) with precision and vividness.” - The BookLife Prize

"The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told follows the development of champion Winning Colors through the eyes of her owner, trainer and jockey. But the drama is just beginning at the Tijuana Mexico betting windows, after Winning Colors wins the Kentucky Derby!” - Steve Springer, Los Angeles Times award winning sportswriter

“How can you resist a true story with the Kentucky Derby, the Cartel, Tijuana gambling, and a guy named Miami? You can’t! Prepare yourself for the ride.”- Brandt Andersen, Executive Producer: American Made (2017), Silence (2016), and Lone Survivor (2013)

“An exciting story of a filly battling the males in the Kentucky Derby… and the gamblers that risked their lives on her. I was fascinated by the behind the scenes aspects of thoroughbred racing. A fun, fast, and exciting read.” - Ken Stovitz, Producer of The Karate Kid (1984)

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  1. Print length
    201 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    January 13, 2020
  5. Reading age
    13 - 18 years
  6. File size
    19.3 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

- - -


Los Angeles Times - John Cherwa Special Contributor:


"I came across this book... that I think a lot of you might like."


"It's a total summer read. It's light, it moves quickly, it's fun... It's only around 150 pages, so you can polish it off in a day."


- - -


-The BookLife Prize:


"An exciting read from the get-go... an energized narrative surrounding a historical sporting event... the author relays (the story) with precision and vividness."


- - -


"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."


- Horse Racing Nation


- - -


"The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told follows the development of champion Winning Colors through the eyes of her owner, trainer and jockey. But the drama is just beginning at the Tijuana Mexico betting windows, after Winning Colors wins the Kentucky Derby!"


- Los Angeles Times award winning sportswriter Steve Springer


- - -

From the Author

The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told is the colorful story of a spectacular three-year-old female racehorse in the male dominated world of thoroughbred racing. The book is a dramatic narrative of an exciting and frightening time in my life. It's based on personal experiences leading up to and during the Kentucky Derby. Hundreds of hours of research allowed me to portray and re-create the lives and actual events that occurred around the gamblers and participants in the running of this race.Occasionally places, persons, timelines, and details were changed to re-create events that occurred over three decades ago, and to protect identities and privacy. There are elements of creative nonfiction in this work (conversations were recreated) but it is based on events I witnessed or researched.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B083LD7T7L
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Authority Publishing
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 13, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 19.3 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 201 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1949642308
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 - 18 years
  • Best Sellers Rank: #35,787 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars (4,002)

About the author

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Mark Paul

Mark Paul

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Mark Paul lives for action and adventure at locations where gambling occurs. He began his gambling career by sneaking into Hollywood Park and Santa Anita at age 16. Mark made a 5,000-mile journey in a sailboat through the Panama Canal and then on to the island of Jamaica, to attend Caribbean and South American horse races. He completed these gambling junkets alone, via bus, to gamble at the local thoroughbred racetracks. He was a participant in a $1 million win on the 1988 Kentucky Derby with two other gamblers through a bet placed in Tijuana, Mexico. He has owned interests in 40 racehorses. Mark has enjoyed a long commercial real estate career. With his wife, Renee, Mark raised over $750,000 for City of Hope Cancer research through their events held at the Santa Anita racetrack.

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4,002 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and easy to read, keeping their interest from beginning to end. They appreciate its thorough research and great insights into horse racing, with one customer comparing it favorably to Laura Hildebrand's Seabiscuit. The story is well-paced and flows smoothly, while the main characters receive positive feedback for their development. The writing quality receives mixed reviews, with some customers finding it well written while others disagree.
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111 customers mention readability, 105 positive, 6 negative
Customers find the book highly readable and entertaining, describing it as a page-turner that kept their interest from beginning to end, making it a great summer read.
A great read and truly greatest gambling story ever told enjoyable because all the facts are true about the amazing Filly Winning Colors!...Read more
...I think this book could be made into a very good movie. It is an easy read, I could relate to all the characters and read it at the pool & beach....Read more
...Easy To understand and THOROUGHLY researched. A fun read that will have you rooting for the protagonists and the beautiful thoroughbred!Read more
Good read, very interesting story that I never knew about. It is definitely a must read for all fans of horse racing!Read more
102 customers mention story, 88 positive, 14 negative
Customers find this book's story engaging, particularly as a horse racing narrative, with one customer noting how the plot develops throughout the book.
...An easy read with a great story, I truly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves racing, enjoys a gambling story, or simply...Read more
Good story! I’m supposed to write 18 more words in this review, but I don’t have anything else to say. Thank you.Read more
Loved this book, the true story, the main characters and of course the horses. Terrific story line, a great read, and hard to put down....Read more
It was an interesting story. I wouldn't say it was the best I've ever read, but it held my interest.Read more
58 customers mention content, 54 positive, 4 negative
Customers find the book excellent, with one comparing it favorably to Laura Hildebrand's Seabiscuit.
Great book with terrific insights into one of the most exciting Kentucky Derby races in history. Reads fast, just like Winning Colors!Read more
Great horse racing story along with gambling intrigue. Filled with history and information for the novice. Well written and easy read.Read more
A delightful story of a great horse and the betting on it. Itis well written and easy to read.Read more
...Good insight to horse tracks and horse racing.Read more
23 customers mention research, 21 positive, 2 negative
Customers appreciate the thorough research of the book, particularly its insights into horse racing, with one customer noting the detailed explanations of betting.
...Easy To understand and THOROUGHLY researched. A fun read that will have you rooting for the protagonists and the beautiful thoroughbred!Read more
While some parts are like an unedited journal, the book is well researched and obviously strengthened by the author's personal experience....Read more
Wonderful insight into the world of horses and betting, and leaves you cheering for Winning Colors and her faithful betters to the dramatic finish...Read more
...Good insights.into the life of thorobred horse racing and the characters involved. Every bit as good a book as Laura Hildebrands Seabiscuit.Read more
20 customers mention pacing, 16 positive, 4 negative
Customers appreciate the book's pacing, describing it as having a great flow that moves along in an interesting way, with one customer mentioning they finished it in one day.
A quick, fun, full of life and misadventure, read. The book is sure to be enjoyed by all. Good unclean fun all.around.Read more
...A fast, fascinating fun book. Enjoy.Read more
This was a fast-paced and fun read about how three unlikely gamblers found themselves betting on Winning Colors in 1988....Read more
It's an enjoyable book and an easy read. Most of the book was a bit slow, but provided a good leadup to a very interesting last 30 pages or so.Read more
16 customers mention read time, 15 positive, 1 negative
Customers appreciate that the book is a fast and short read.
...This is a quick read and you won’t put it down till the end. Loved it.Read more
Fast Read and enjoyed remembering about the horses during that time.Read more
A fast paced read. Very enjoyable even if you’re not a fan of horse racing, but it helps, highly recommendedRead more
...Read it in one day. Great for any horse enthusiast.Read more
14 customers mention character development, 13 positive, 1 negative
Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding the main characters unbelievable.
...The characters are believable and well written....Read more
What more can be said? It was full of fun and great story and great characters. Very entertaining read. Exactly what a book like this should do....Read more
Loved this book, the true story, the main characters and of course the horses. Terrific story line, a great read, and hard to put down....Read more
Great read, looks likes a screenplay in the making... characters are so vivid they're like technicolor....Read more
38 customers mention writing quality, 26 positive, 12 negative
Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality of the book, with some finding it quite well written and praising the author's skill, while others express dissatisfaction.
...This book wss so well written. I cheered and re-read some parts because they were so exciting. Great characters in the story too. Loved it....Read more
Great WRITING!Read more
...The writing was poor. Save your money.Read more
This book kept my interest all the way through. It is written in such a way that it appears to be a true story. I highly recommend this book.Read more
This story is a WILD RIDE!
5 out of 5 stars
This story is a WILD RIDE!
This book is a wild ride! The fact that the story is true makes it even better. It details the journey of a filly named Winning Colors who raced in the 1988 Kentucky Derby and a few gamblers who placed a huge bet on her to win. None of this sounds extraordinary until you consider the odds of any filly winning the Kentucky Derby are incredibly low and the gamblers placed their bets months in advance with a Tijuana race track owned by the Mexican Cartel. So collecting their winnings is a sticky situation for these guys. I give it two thumbs up! 👍👍
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Brian Bahnsen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and Educational
    Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I wasn't really expected to gain a basic knowledge of horse racing from this book, but I will consider that a bonus. I found the way the storyline unfolded, and the author shared it with the readers, flowed very nicely, and made it difficult to set the book aside. An easy read with a great story, I truly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves racing, enjoys a gambling story, or simply needs a break from something with heavier content.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • steve
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
    Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2026
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Great read. May not be the "Greatest" gambling story ever told" but it was full of adventure about a couple of gamblers and a racehorse. They decided to place a long-shot bet long before the Kentucky Derby and it follows the story until they go to collect their winnings from the sketchy Mexican track in Tijuana. Conversation embellishment added to the read.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle CustomerWolfie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Winning Colors in the winner’s circle
    Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A great read and truly greatest gambling story ever told enjoyable because all the facts are true about the amazing Filly
    Winning Colors! I was at the Kentucky Derby and all the facts lead up to the race are true and accurate.
    4 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • vjstravino
    3.0 out of 5 stars Really?
    Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2020
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This cannot possibly be the "Greatest" gambling story ever told. It was a cool tale about a pair of gamblers hitting it modestly big during the Kentucky Derby back in the day by laying down a bet at a sketchy Mexican track in Tijuana. It felt like there was a bit of heightened embellishment at the risks the pair were taking and the danger they were in. Nevertheless, it was a fun, quick read.
    5 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Kindle user Gregory B.
    5.0 out of 5 stars 3 Friends, a Risky Wager, and "Winning Colors" Race for the Ages.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Exciting and Thrilling True Story of the King of Sports. Large Cast of Characters Introduce You to the World of Horse Racing. Filled with Every Emotion Possible, Rich and Poor Partying, and Gambling, on Beautiful Majestic Thoroughbred Racehorses. This Book is Excellent and I Hope it Becomes a Wonderful Movie.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Scott Kuffel
    4.0 out of 5 stars Nothing fancy, but loved the adventure
    Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2026
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I’m not here to say this is a literary masterpiece, but it was quite a straightforward piece of entertainment if you enjoy a bit of a “buddy story”, want to learn some things about racehorses and gambling, and if you’re okay glamorizing placing a little coin on a filly in the biggest race of the year.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Eric Math
    5.0 out of 5 stars couldnt put this book down. A must buy.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2020
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    That was an awesome story. Bought the book on amazon. Unbelievable rendition of Winning colors. I am going on 52 years old. Grew up with horseracing. 20 years old when winning colors pulled off the amazing feat against a derby field of legendary colts. I remember everything like it was yesterday. For some one to put together this story 30 years later is an absolute treasure. People forget how good D Wayne Lucus was. He was Todd Pletcher, Bob Baffert, Bobby Frankel, Chad Brown before they were anything. In fact his "coaching tree" is made of hall of famers. Cant say the same about bill belicheck. Gene klein had multiple grade one winners after this, open mind is the first I remember. The inside story including how instrumental Jeff Lucus was to his father. His tragic story is for another day.
    For someone like me to have you put this story together was an absolute treasure.
    Thank you
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Piano Teacher
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Great pace, super writing style with no extra words or needless fluff. I read this book because I met Winning Colors as I was her Night-Watchman in Lexington, KY at the yearlong sales where her was being sold. She was huge and muscular. She had extremely intelligent eyes. They this me not to go into her stall because she bites/kicks. I had to go halfway in to right her blanket because it was getting tangled around her legs. I said a prayer and opened the stall door. Her rear (all muscle!) was facing me. Speaking to her so she knew I was there, I started reaching for the twisted blanket. Upon hearing my voice, she turned her head full around to look at me. I maintained eye contact with her the entire time I did my best to fix her blanket. It seemed she knew I was helping...or she was just curious. Her ears remained forward and inquisitive. The man (owner?) to whom I reported in the morning was upset and incredulous that I went in. I told him i needed to make sure the blanket didn't get wrapped around her legs. I was alive, so he dropped it. I owned a horse of my own so I knew a little bit, but I was young and...well...let's just day I wanted her to be safe. This book wss so well written. I cheered and re-read some parts because they were so exciting. Great characters in the story too. Loved it. What a book!
    23 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • David M.
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not a great read.
    Reviewed in Australia on September 8, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Some facts and a lot of fiction. Not very well written in my opinion. The story even includes a description of money paid and taken from the race track where the denominations do not add up. Proof reading should have easily picked up that error. There are plenty better gambling stories than this one.
    Report
  • bcjetboater
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read very entertaining!
    Reviewed in Canada on September 30, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    As a guy who always loved gambling in general and also enjoyed going to Hastings Park in my hometown of Vancouver to watch the live horse racing I learned a lot about behind the scenes of the sport. Good entertaining read.
    Report
  • Brian H
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 7, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Great story, a worthwhile read for anyone interested in horseracing, gambling or sport in general with the added excitement of taking on a bookie backed by the cartel
    Report
  • Dereck
    4.0 out of 5 stars Welll written
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 26, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I wouuldn't call it the greatest gambling story ever told, that is really stretching it. It is though well written and exciting, Good story
    Report
  • James Lee
    5.0 out of 5 stars great story
    Reviewed in Canada on July 13, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    good read
    Report
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