Vegas Oddsmaker Johnny Avello Picks DWTS Winner

By Tom Rose
Fancast.com

Johnny Avello, Director of Race and Sports Operations at Wynn Las Vegas, is renowned for his skill at picking winners. For instance, he’s been right 5 out of 7 times with the American Idol.

Wow… Taylor Hicks was a darker horse than we thought! And as the last season wound down, Johnny predicted a possible upset for David Cook but hung on to David Archuleta by the slimmest of margins. We know how you feel Johnny.

So the fabled Vegas oddsmaker has been good enough to give us a peek at his numbers for the upcoming season on Dancing With The Stars and his prediction for who will come out on top.

Jeffrey Ross 50 to 1
Cloris Leachman 40 to 1
Warren Sapp 30 to 1

Ted McGinley 25 to 1
Misty May-Treanor 22 to 1
Susan Lucci 20 to 1
Maurice Greene 15 to 1
Kim Kardashian 12 to 1
Rocco DiSpirito 10 to 1
Toni Braxton 8 to 1
Brooke Burke 7 to 1
Lance Bass 5 to 1
Cody Linley 4 to 1

Analysis:
Cody Linley slightly edges Lance Bass, which makes sense. Lance is well past his teen years, but his dancing skills should still be well-honed, so it’ll be a contest. The only way he might break the deadlock is if he follows through on speculation of his showing up at the last minute with a male partner. Don’t count on it.

The middle of the pack (Braxton thru Greene) should produce some real jockeying as they head into the stretch.

Susan Lucci has spent an entire career as an underdog and America just may go the sentimental route this time around. And Warren Sapp is a man to watch, given the win by Emmit Smith in 2006.

The real shocker is 83-year old Cloris Leachman kicking Jeffrey Ross’ ass!
If this happens, we can literally tell Jeffrey that grandma dances better than he does!

Dancing With The Stars kicks off 9/22 on ABC. Thanks Johnny. We’ll be watching… and maybe laying down a few bucks (and wings.)