The goal is to raise Pokémon's betting odds by making the look-alike lose races in his place, before eventually betting big on the real champion.

: The term "mandrakata" has since entered the Italian lexicon, often used to describe a clever, slightly shady, or ingenious "stroke of genius" or "dodge".

: The original 1976 film, directed by Steno, was initially a box-office failure but became a massive cult hit through local Roman TV broadcasts. This sequel was released 26 years later to capitalize on that enduring popularity.

Despite promising his girlfriend Lauretta that he has quit the racetracks, Mandrake remains a compulsive horse bettor. He teams up with two new partners: (Micione), an unemployed man who steals from his parents to fund his bets, and "The Engineer," a law student with computer expertise.