Four thieving street urchins, led by Chuy, bet $2 on a pick-six horse race every week.

A kindly American, Mr. Jones, places their bet for them while visiting Tijuana each week to indulge himself at strip clubs and with prostitutes.

The gang is joined by a new kid in town, Jose, whose sister, Juanita, is stripping at a local club.

To get some luck, the kids decide to steal a dime from the church poor box to "make Jesus a partner" in the bet.

Director Boris Sagal used Roach's forlorn, run-down facilities because they looked like a decaying Mexican city.