Dennis Farina, John Ortiz join HBO pilot

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Michael Mann has recruited pals Dennis Farina and John Ortiz to star in "Luck," his horse-racing drama pilot for HBO.

The project, which Mann is mounting with David Milch, is described as a provocative look at the worlds of horse racing and gambling told through a diverse group of characters surrounding a racetrack.

It centers on Ace Bernstain, who, after three years in prison, teams with Gus Economou (Farina), his longtime chauffeur and muscle, to craft a complex plan involving the track. They recruit Turo Escalante (Ortiz), a successful trainer with sordid reputation.

Milch ("NYPD Blue") wrote the pilot, which Mann is directing.

In 1978, Farina was a veteran cop in his native Chicago when Mann tapped him as a police consultant and gave him his acting start with a small role in the 1981 film "Thief." Mann also handed Farina his first full-time TV gig on the 1986 series "Crime Story" as well as parts on his TV hit "Miami Vice" and in his 1986 feature "Manhunter."

Ortiz appeared in Mann's feature adaptation of "Miami Vice" and the director's most recent film, "Public Enemies."