Last-Minute Racetrax Ticket Purchase Rewards Hyattsville Landscaper

Dedicated player wins more than $34,000       

Due soon at his next work site and with his truck low on gas, a Prince George’s County man stopped at a Takoma Park business to fill his tank, his stomach and, as it turns out, his wallet. The long-time Racetrax player, who had already purchased his tickets for the week, decided to get one more while there and that one more ticket made all of the difference.

“As I was pumping the gas, I decided to get a snack because we had skipped lunch,” said the 35-year-old resident of Hyattsville. Once inside the Sunshine Ethio convenience store at the Sunoco station, he immediately noticed a Racetrax monitor. “I figured, while I was there….”

He placed a Superfecta Box quick-pick wager, adding the Bonus multiplier, that the 8, 9, 11 and 12 horses would cross the finish line together in any order in one of 10 races.

It wasn’t until the following day that he realized his good fortune. According to his Lottery app, his $48 purchase had turned into a $34,511.50 prize! In the sixth race, the lucky landscaper’s horses crossed the finish line in 9, 8, 12 and 11 order.

“I was shocked,” the happy player said. “I couldn’t believe how much I won. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before.” When he told his wife the good news, she immediately said, “Oh my goodness, the car!” The couple had discussed getting a much-needed new (to them) car for the family. “We weren’t sure we could afford the one we wanted,” the grateful man told Lottery officials. “Now, it’s no problem.”

Also sharing in the fun of the big win are the owners of the Sunshine Ethio store at 6907 New Hampshire Avenue in Takoma Park. Their store will receive a bonus of $345.11 from the Lottery for selling a winning Racetrax ticket of $10,000 or more. This bonus is equal to 1% of the prize.