$2 Pick Nine Ticket at Golden Gate Fields Pays $1.5 Million

A retired railroad worker from San Francisco hit the Pick Nine on his first try to win nearly $1.5 million Thursday at Golden Gate Fields.

The 63-year-old man, whose name was not disclosed, became an instant millionaire on a $2 ticket consisting of one selection per race.

“I spent five hours handicapping the previous night and I had a confident feeling that it was going to be my lucky day,” he said.

The payoff of $1,490,261.80 was an all-time Northern California record, eclipsing the previous mark of $1,132,466 won by a Santa Rosa man who won the Pick Six in 1985 at Bay Meadows.

It was also the second largest parimutuel payoff in California racing history, topped only by a Pick Nine ticket worth $1,906,491.90 last year at Santa Anita.

“Now, I’m ready to pay off my Cadillac, have my house remodeled and cancel all debts,” joked the winner before walking off with an after-taxes check of $1,192,209.

The man had retired last July and had attended races twice at Bay Meadows before making his first trip in “years” to Golden Gate Fields, he said. His closest call came in the eighth race when Stretch It Out edged Stricking Fury by a neck.

“I used the Daily Racing Form and a computer to make my selections,” he said. “What a thrill when that last horse (Phaetalle) hit the finish line in front.”

In the 66 previous days of racing at the current meeting, nobody had picked all nine winners, creating a series of carryover pools.