MISS WISCONSIN FAVORED IN MISS AMERICA PAGEANT

A Las Vegas oddsmaker has made Miss Wisconsin a narrow favorite to win Miss America on Saturday at Planet Hollywood Resort.

Johnny Avello, director of race and sports operations at Wynn Las Vegas, lists Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler as the odds-on favorite at 6-1.

Avello provides odds for entertainment purposes only; not for wagering.

Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson is the second choice at 8-1, with Miss Texas Kendall Morris at 9-1.

Rounding out Avello’s top 10 choices: 4. Miss Hawaii, 10-1; 5. Miss Utah, 14-1; 6. Miss New York, 15-1; 7. Miss Kentucky, 17-1; 8. Miss Idaho, 18-1; 9. Miss Michigan, 19-1 and Miss New Hampshire, 20-1

The others:

Miss Virginia, 22-1; Miss Tennessee, 23-1; Miss Louisiana, 24-1; Miss Virgin Islands, 25-1;  Miss Arkansas, 28-1; Miss Colorado, 28-1; Miss New Jersey, 28-1; Miss Georgia, 30-1; Miss Ohio, 30-1; Miss Nebraska, 30-1; Miss Washington, 30-1; Miss West Virginia, 30-1; Miss Alabama, 35-1; Miss Arizona, 35-1; Miss California, 35-1; Miss South Carolina, 35-1; Miss Illinois, 40-1; Miss Massachusetts, 40-1; Miss Mississippi, 40-1; Miss North Dakota, 40-1; Miss Iowa, 45-1; Miss Kansas, 45-1; Miss Missouri, 45-1; Miss North Carolina, 45-1; Miss Pennsylvania, 45-1; Miss Oregon, 50-1; Miss District of Columbia, 50-1; Miss South Dakota, 50-1; Miss Indiana, 55-1; Miss Maryland, 50-1; Miss Connecticut, 60-1; Miss Alaska, 60-1; Miss Florida, 60-1; Miss Wyoming, 60-1; Miss Delaware, 65-1; Miss Vermont, 65-1; Miss Minnesota, 65-1; Miss Nevada, 75-1; Miss Maine, 75-1; Miss New Mexico, 75-1; Miss Montana, 85-1; Miss Rhode Island, 100-1; Miss Puerto Rico, 100-1

--NORM CLARKE, Vegas Confidential