The State : Crop Picker Reaps Fortune

A San Joaquin County farm worker who sends most of his earnings to his family in Mexico won $2 million Saturday in the California Lottery’s Big Spin. Ariel Cota, 22, of Woodbridge, who said through an interpreter that he was “very, very happy,” will receive an $80,000 annuity for 20 years. Cota said he supports nine siblings, his wife and their 10-month-old son in Guamuchil, Sinaloa, and hopes to bring them to the United States with his winnings. He said he plans to quit his grape- and peach-picking job and start a construction business. Manuel de la Rosa, 44, a Los Angeles garment worker, won $1 million in the Big Spin and said he planned to start his own clothing outlet with the $40,000 annuity he is to receive.