Those hoping to get lucky in "Luck" include: THE HIGH ROLLERS THE BODYGUARD THE WOMAN WITH A CAUSE Chester "Ace" Bernstein Played by Dustin Hoffman After three years in prison, Bernstein has big plans--revenge, buying Santa Anita, winning some big races with an expensive horse from Ireland. Michael Smythe Michael Gambon A wealthy, win-at-any-cost businessman from England, who was a one-time partner of Ace Bernstein's. Gus Demitriou Dennis Farina Gus and Ace go way back.  Gus will do anything for Ace, including fronting as owner of Bernstein's horse. Claire LeChea Joan Allen She wants to help prisoners and retired horses; that's enough to get Ace's ear.                 THE GANG THAT SOMETIMES SHOOTS STRAIGHT Marcus Kevin Dunn He is confined to a wheelchair, has heart disease, and doesn't know where his next pick-six payoff is coming from. Jerry Jason Gedrick Between the track and the card clubs, he needs one habit to support the other. Lonnie Ian Hart For Lonnie, beating the races isn't enough. He wants to own a champion horse, too. Renzo Ritchie Coster He lives on disability checks and what few wits he has.         THE RACE TRACKERS     Walter Smith Nick Nolte A trainer who knows horseflesh, "The old man" speaks softly, sometimes inaudibly, but can get tough when he needs to. Turo Escalante John Ortiz A Peruvian trainer who wants to cash bets and win races, in that order. Jo Jill Hennessy A veterinarian who lives with Escalante, and loves him in spite of himself. Ronnie Jenkins Gary Stevens A jockey whose best days are behind him.  He's fighting the demons and doing the best he can.   Rosie Kerry Condon A jockey who needs a break, a big horse to escape from oblivion. Leon Micheaux Tom Payne An apprentice rider with a weight problem. Joey Rathburn Richard Kind A jockey agent with a stutter, an ex-wife, and not-so-thick skin.   As inspired by... David Milch (center) in 2001 with jockey Jose Valdivia (left) and Julio Canani, trainer of the Milch-owned Val Royal and the inspiration for "Luck" character Turo Escalante. Other character inspirations in the show include, from left, the late Charlie Whittingham, who is the basis for the Nick Nolte character Walter Smith; former trainer Jenine Sahadi, the Jill Hennessy character Jo; and jockey Pat Valenzuela, the Gary Stevens character Ronnie Jenkins. [MORE: New drama reveals racing as Milch sees it | Andrew Beyer on "Luck"]