March 12, 2010 -- For as long as anyone can remember, Isidro Hernandez of Stamford has joked about being a big "lotto" winner--a story that has been a constant source of amusement to his family and friends. So, it was no surprise that no one believed him when he recently announced he had matched 5 winning Powerball numbers and won $200,000. However, this time, his old joke had become a reality.

Hernandez successfully matched the first 5 numbers drawn in the March 6th Powerball game, 10 - 29 - 33 - 41 - 59, but missed having the Powerball number of 15. He discovered his newly found fortune when he scanned his ticket with a "ticket checker" at a local lottery retailer. "It said, 'Congratulations. You're a $200,000 Winner.' I couldn't believe it," said Hernandez, who signed the back of his ticket and then scanned it three more times to be absolutely certain.

This week, Hernandez traveled with friends and family members to Lottery headquarters in Rocky Hill to accept a prize check for $127,000 (prize value after taxes). Hernandez, an apartment renter for the past 20 years, plans to use the prize money as a down payment on a new home for his family. “To have my own house has always been a dream,” Hernandez’ wife, Telma, shared with lottery officials. “Now, my daughters will each have their own bedroom.”

There were a total of 18,588 winning tickets sold statewide for that drawing whose values ranged from $3 to $200,000 each. Elm Street Market at 320 Elm Street in Stamford sold Hernandez his winning Powerball ticket, and will receive a $2,000 bonus check from the CT Lottery for doing so.