"[William] Faulkner said the stories of human heart in conflict with itself are the stories worth telling. When you see people's lives — all of someone's dreams — determined one way or another by one race or the performance of a horse, that's the stuff of great drama."
In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times' Lance Pugmire, award-winning writer and producer David Milch discusses his inspirations for his newest creation, HBO's new horse racing series 'Luck,' filmed at Santa Anita.
Milch, owner of multiple thoroughbred champions and a self-confessed "degenerate gambler", first became mesmerized by the horse racing industry after tagging along with his father to Saratoga as a young boy.
"You have so many associations from childhood that stay with you," Milch was quoted as saying in the Los Angeles Times interview. "How a kid idolizes his dad is all tied up in this. My dad used to call me a degenerate gambler. You hear that, and you spend time trying to live up to those ideas. Then, the animals are so heart-stopping beautiful, the competition can lead to such joy and heartache. You get to see that play out every day at the track. You can't ask for anything more."
Directed by Michael Mann, 'Luck' will feature two-time Academy Award winner actor Dustin Hoffman, along with Nick Nolte, John Ortiz, Dennis Farina, former jockey Gary Stevens, and others.
"I'm certainly grateful for the actors associated with the project," said Milch. "I've spent seven days a week for the last three years on it. I'm proud of the scripts. I know it's up to the public. I hope they can take it to heart like they did 'Hill Street' and 'NYPD Blue.' You hope. But I know everyone involved in this has given it their best shot."
The series will premiere on Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 9 p.m.