Columbia Marine Corps Veteran Nets Lottery Win

COLUMBIA, MD — After a jam-packed day of running errands and stopping by the VA, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Robert Shepherd of Columbia decided to try his luck with the Maryland Lottery's game Racetrax. That's when Shepherd discovered two bets into his five races that his three horses had zoomed across the finish line together for an incredible win. He had used his all-time lucky number combination and netted a $13,600 prize.

Robert’s win was initially $1,360 but a Bonus multiplier he added to his ticket was 10 times his winning race, which significantly increased his payout. The 61-year-old said the number combination for his lucky Trifecta Box bet came from more than a decade of service as a Marine and from John, a brother-in-arms he served with in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield. The 11-7-1 number combination had proven lucky for the duo throughout their military service. Sadly, John passed away some time ago.

“Although John is no longer with us, I think in a way this win honors him,” Robert said in a statement. “I’d like to think he’d be very happy for me if he was here.”

The winner plans to use some of his prize to pay off bills. He has several other plans for the remainder of the winnings.

“Thanksgiving and Christmas will be really nice,” he said, “and my wife’s birthday is right around the corner, too.”