Columnist Kate Maddox: Odds are, DeLuca’s on target

Kate Maddox

Friday, Jan. 18, 2002 | 9:42 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column appears Fridays, Sundays and Tuesdays. Reach her at 259-2309 or kmaddox@lasvegassun.com.

Andy DeLuca: soothsayer?

In early October, before "Survivor: Africa" even hit the air, Sahara sportsbook manager DeLuca picked the winner. The veteran oddsmaker had Ethan Zohn at 6-to-1, the shortest odds in the field. Zohn nabbed the million-dollar prize on Jan. 10.

DeLuca says he looked at some of Zohn's personal qualities before posting him as the champ. "He was an outdoor enthusiast," DeLuca theorized. "And (his profile) said he had an easy-going personality, and that's what did it this time." DeLuca says he only posts the odds "for the fun of it," but he did get some exposure.

"The newspapers from the contestants' hometowns would call and ask for the odds," he said.

Inspired by his "Survivor" success, this week DeLuca's taken a stab at the Golden Globe Awards. "We're picking 'Lord of the Rings' for Best Picture, Drama," he said. "And 'Moulin Rouge' for Musical or Comedy." De- Luca's also got Denzel Washington for Best Actor and Sissy Spacek for Best Actress. The Golden Globes will be handed out Sunday night.

But the Globes guesses weren't exactly scientific, either. "We actually try to get the customers involved," DeLuca said. "We basically put out a check list. A lot of it comes down to popularity."

On a happy "Survivor: Africa" note, the cast is working with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation to help raise money. Show memorabilia is selling for outrageous prices on eBay. How outrageous? Try $3,050 for Teresa's torch, $6,950 for the urn that held the final votes and $16,500 for the wooden immunity idol.

I know it sounds like something out of childhood "where I want to work when I grow up" fantasies, but the Academy of Magical Arts is a real place. And even though it may conjure up images of wizards and white rabbits and the late Doug Henning, the academy powers-that-be are genuine experts who each year present awards to the best magicians in the world.

This go-'round, Tropicana magician Rick Thomas has been dubbed "Magician of the Year." Thomas, whose afternoon show at the hotel is in its fifth year, was given the coveted award during his Thursday performance. Other Las Vegas illusionists who have earned honors from the academy include Siegfried & Roy, Penn & Teller and Lance Burton.

Maybe he was preparing for a few rounds in the courtroom ...

Billionaire Kirk Kerkorian has recently been spotted walking the grounds at the Las Vegas County Club Estates. The 84-year-old MGM MIRAGE honcho, usually dressed in workout gear, shiny white sneaks and a baseball cap, was seen taking frequent power walks during the late-morning hours, often with a blond female companion. Kerkorian, said to be worth an estimated $6.4 billion, reportedly owns a Vegas manse in the gated Country Club.

Whether or not Kerkorian's jaunts were meant to reduce the stress brought on by his ex-wife -- who this week filed court documents asking for $320,000 a month from Kerkorian to care for their 3-year-old daughter -- one can only speculate.

Mick Jagger was in town in October for the Radio Music Awards at Aladdin. "He was definitely here at the hotel," said a source at the Strip property. "He even had a little album release party at the London Club."

After stories of phony Jagger escapades surfaced last week, there was some dispute as to whether the rocker was physically in Vegas at all. So, hope that settles it.