One of numerous big wins scored by Prince George’s County player. |
A Racetrax fan with a winning history just claimed the fourth biggest purse since the Maryland Lottery’s game made its debut in August 2006. Upon claiming his $183,465.90 score, frequent winner Paul “Pickles” McDonald predicted: “I’ll be back in six months!”
As recently as January 2018, the 49-year-old Bowie business owner won another substantial Racetrax prize. He earned $60,828 on the same high-odds horses — 9, 10, 11 and 12 — that gave him his new win. In May 2017, Paul made Racetrax history by winning the third largest prize ever — $194,188 — and that record still stands.
“He’s got a whole lot of $50s and $60s (wins),” said Paul’s friend Eric Gordon. Eric is a fellow Racetrax player but not nearly as lucky.
“You just gotta hit it at the right time. Timing is everything,” Paul explained. While acknowledging his wins are largely the product of good luck, Paul does offer advice to anyone playing Racetrax: always place a boxed bet.
“The worst thing is to bet straight; spend the extra to get boxed,” Paul said. For this latest winning combination, he played the 9, 10, 11 and 12 horses in a Superfecta Box combination. The horses finished in the 9, 12, 10 and 11 order so he would have walked away without a prize if he had placed a straight Superfecta bet.
His plans for this big win? Not nearly as exciting as those for his previous prize. Paul planned to buy a used Cadillac from his friend Ralph Speicher the last time he won, but Ralph sold the vehicle before Paul could do so. This time, Paul has no special plans for the prize beyond paying off a few bills “and playing Racetrax some more! You gotta play to win!”
In the realm of celebrations, Paul did commit to taking Eric and Ralph, who he calls his “Lottery Guards,” out for a meal.
His lucky Lottery retailer for record wins #3 and #4 is Corner Lounge at 105 Crain Highway in Upper Marlboro. For selling a winning Racetrax ticket worth $10,000 or more, the Prince George’s County store picks up a bonus of $1,834, which is equal to 1 percent of the prize. Congratulations!