An Owensboro man’s day off turned extraordinary when a quick stop at a Kentucky Lottery retailer turned into a life-changing moment.  

Cody Baggett, who works as a mechanic, stopped at Huck’s on East Parrish Avenue in Owensboro to exchange a few winning $3 Electric Diamonds Scratch-off tickets for another round of play.  

Having luck with the game, Baggett decided to buy one ticket before leaving the store and visiting his co-workers on his day off. That ticket would be a $50,000 winning ticket. 

“I wasn’t expecting anything big,” Baggett said.  

“I looked down and thought, ‘No… something’s wrong here,’ Then I checked the numbers again, and they all lined up. I pulled out my phone to scan it, and when it said I won… I yelled, ‘Oh, crap!’ My stepdad heard me from outside and thought something was wrong.” 

The disbelief spread quickly. 

“When I told the guy working in the shop, he looked at me and could tell something was up because I was pale,” Baggett said. “I told him, ‘I just won $50 grand.’ My stepdad walked in and said, ‘What’s wrong?’ I said, ‘Nothing — I just won $50 grand!’” 

Baggett called his wife, who needed photographic evidence before she believed him. 

“She didn’t believe me at first,” Baggett laughed. “I sent her a screenshot from the app showing the prize amount. She just kept saying, ‘No way.’” 

Baggett walked away from the Kentucky Lottery with a check for $36,250 after taxes. 

“This is definitely a bucket list thing.” 

The couple already has practical plans for their winnings. After financial challenges during the COVID19 pandemic, they plan to pay off some debt. They also plan to purchase a new truck and help his brother-in-law buy a motorcycle from his stepdad. 

A longtime lottery player, Baggett says scratch-offs hold sentimental value. 

“It was something me and my Nana used to do together,” he said. “She’s gone now, but I think that has a lot to do with why I still enjoy it.” 

The Kentucky Lottery launched Electric Diamonds at retailers across the state in January. There are two $50,000 top prizes remaining and 22 $1,000 prizes.