Asked if he has a formula for winning, a Washington County man who hit for $14,760 in the Maryland Lottery’s Racetrax game said: “It’s easy. I play my birthday.”
He switches up the month and day, and when he played on Aug. 10 at the Improved Order of Red Men Tribe #84 lodge in Williamsport, the lucky player added the number 10 and placed a $1 Trifecta bet on 5, 10 and 7. The result was a five-digit prize!
The 50-something winner, who enjoys traveling to horse tracks around the country to bet on actual thoroughbred races, is so passionate about the sport that he keeps track of jockeys the way a baseball fan might follow a favorite pitcher or hitter.
The Williamsport resident became a Racetrax enthusiast about five years ago. That pursuit began when he was eating lunch at the Williamsport lodge of Red Men ̶ a civic organization established in 1887 that supports various charitable, youth and educational programs ̶ and saw the game on a monitor. He played 1, 5 and 7 boxed, hit for $480, and said, “Man, this is pretty sweet!” He’s been a regular ever since, playing a couple times a week.
The winner also plays Keno from time to time, saying he prefers the two games because they allow him to play his lucky birthday numbers. This Racetrax win was his second substantial hit on the game and eclipsed his former top prize of $5,800.
As for what he plans to do with the windfall, the lucky player said most of it will go into the bank. Some of the prize will go to his daughter in college, who will receive a little more than she asked for to pay for books for the fall semester.
Also in the winner’s circle is the lucky Washington County retailer. For selling a winning Racetrax ticket of $10,000 or more, the Improved Order of Red Men Tribe #84 lodge in Williamsport also benefits. The lodge earns a bonus from the Lottery equal to 1 percent of the prize ($147.60).