They thought they had made the bet of a lifetime. They were right—it nearly cost them their lives.
On May 7, 1988, a filly named Winning Colors shocked the racing world by becoming only the third female horse in history to win the Kentucky Derby. For three friends from Miami who had bet their life savings on her impossible victory, it should have been the greatest moment of their lives.
Instead, it became the beginning of their most dangerous nightmare.
Bernie Goldstein saw what others missed—a champion disguised as an underdog. Paul Hernandez and Dino Mateo trusted their friend's judgment enough to risk everything. Together, they pooled $20,000 and crossed the border into Mexico, seeking the 12-to-1 odds that would turn their modest nest eggs into a fortune.
When Winning Colors thundered to victory at Churchill Downs, their bet was worth $240,000. But the bookmakers who had gladly taken their money suddenly had no intention of paying it back.
What followed was a descent into a criminal underworld they never knew existed.
Trapped in a Tijuana warehouse by armed men with ties to international drug cartels, the three friends discovered that their "simple" gambling transaction had made them witnesses to money laundering operations worth millions. Their escape across the Mexican border was just the beginning of a years-long cat-and-mouse game with criminals who had permanent solutions for temporary problems.
From the glamour of America's most famous horse race to the shadows of international organized crime, this is the incredible true story of:
• A magnificent filly who refused to accept that girls couldn't beat the boys • Three ordinary men who found extraordinary courage when their lives depended on it
• A $240,000 bet that launched a federal investigation spanning two countries • The dangerous price of winning when you're playing against people who don't follow the rules
This is Seabiscuit meets Goodfellas—a heart-stopping blend of sports triumph and criminal thriller that proves truth is stranger than fiction.
Based on extensive interviews, federal court records, and DEA case files, Winning Colors reveals the shocking true story behind one of racing's greatest upsets and the deadly consequences that followed. It's a tale of friendship, courage, and the realization that sometimes the biggest risk isn't losing—it's winning.
Every detail is documented. Every moment is true. Every page will leave you breathless.
"A masterpiece of narrative nonfiction that reads like a thriller but delivers the impact of reality."
