American Idol Predictions Announced By Wynn Las Vegas

Never mind March Madness. Forget about the mid-term elections. All eyes - and bets - are on the Fox reality show American Idol to generate the most intense competition of the year, according to John Avello, director of race & sports operations for Wynn Las Vegas.

Avello, whose purview normally covers all on-site sports bets and nationwide horse racing for the Las Vegas Strip venue, has assessed all "Idol" contestants since the launch of the show. He has a near perfect record, pegging advance #1 rankings to winners Ruben Studdard, Fantasia and Carrie Underwood weeks before their crowning.

As of today, Avello has given open odds to win the 2006 season of "Idol" as follows:

Chris: 4/1

Mandisa: 9/2

Ace: 5/1

Lisa: 6/1

Katharine: 8/1

Paris: 10/1

Elliott: 12/1

Kellie: 15/1

Taylor: 25/1

Bucky: 35/1

Kevin: 100/1

"This competition is all about the voters at home, but they're not necessarily voting based on talent," says Avello, who has also supplemented his sports focus with other entertainment odds-making including the Oscars, Emmys and Grammys.

Avello will update his American Idol odds each week until the series finale on May 24, 2006.