Allen (Burn This, The Heidi Chronicles, Impressionism, "The Crucible," "Georgia O'Keefe") will play the head of a program that uses prison inmates to care for worn-out racehorses. In addition to Hoffman ("Rain Man," "Kramer vs. Kramer," The Merchant of Venice, Death of a Salesman), the series' regular cast is also set to include John Ortiz (Othello, "Jack Goes Boating"), Richard Kind (The Producers, Bounce, "Spin City"), Academy Award nominee Nick Nolte ("Affliction," "The Prince of Tides"), Dennis Farina, Kevin Dunn, Jason Gedrick, Ritchie Coster, Ian Hart, Tom Payne, Kerry Condon and Gary Stevens.

The series will look at every aspect of horse racing, including owners, gamblers, jockeys and various movers and shakers in the industry, according to the industry paper.

The pilot of "Luck," currently in production, is written by David Milch and directed by Michael Mann.