A Baltimore man is off to the races with an early 2026 retirement at the finish line with a little assist from a $30,226 win Oct. 22 on the Maryland Lottery’s Racetrax game.
“This is just good for retirement,” he said Oct. 24 when he claimed his winnings at Maryland Lottery headquarters in Baltimore.
His last day of work will be Jan. 15 of the new year, but he’s doing a little testing of the waters with a Caribbean cruise vacation in November. Though he’s financially prepared for his coming life of relative leisure, the Racetrax winnings will allow him to be sure his finances are square for the transition. After Jan. 15, he’ll be keeping busy with travel and other activities.
“You’ve got to stay busy. You can’t just lie down,” he said.
The financial preparation that serves as the groundwork for retirement is something he learned from his parents and something he’s been trying to pass on to his kids.
“You can’t spend it all. You’ve got to save some,” he said.
The soon-to-be retiree says his interest in playing Racetrax dates back to when he would play the real ponies in Laurel.
Then he got a taste for the convenience of the animated horses of Racetrax and has been a regular player on that game, as well as Pick 3 and Pick 4, for many years.
Citing the convenience, he said, “I haven’t been to a track in 15 years.”
As for the future, he said, “I’m definitely going to keep playing. I might be back in here next week!”
The winner bought his hot ticket at the Marriottsville Crown gas station at 9802 Liberty Road in Randallstown, which receives a bonus of $302.26.
