ALBUQUERQUE – Seturnino “Nino” Garduno won $50,000 playing the New Mexico Lottery’s “Diamond Dazzler” Scratcher game.

Garduno, a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, purchased the ticket at VFW Post No. 3280 where he went Saturday to meet friends and play pool. After claiming his prize Wednesday at lottery headquarters in Albuquerque, Garduno said he plans to buy his wife, Jackie, a new car and take her to Connecticut to visit family.

Also of Clovis, Scratcher players Freida Maes claimed a $25,000 prize on Jan. 7 and Samone Bricker won $10,000 on Dec. 22. Players from Clovis have won approximately $1.7 million in lottery prizes during the first half of fiscal year 2009, which started in July.