Vegas Odds & Ends

Folks aren't necessarily talking baseball when they say World Series these days. They might mean golf's old World Series, the long-running World Series of Poker or the relatively new Orleans Annual Horseplayer World Series, which begins Thursday, Jan. 21, and runs through Saturday, Jan. 23. The event costs $1,000 to enter and players will compete for a $500,000 top prize, based on 1,000 entries. "This is the big one," said Sam's Town handicapper and former Los Angeles Herald-Examiner turf editor Gordon Jones. "I don't really like the contest at Bally's that's connected to the Daily Racing Form and the Hilton's (Pick the Ponies) contest is too small," Jones continued. "This is the one where you'll see the big players and that lets you pick your own tracks. "Half of it is being able to pick your own tracks." The contest format requires contestants to make 11 $20 win and $20 place mythical wagers per day during the competition's three-day run. ***** Churchill Downs is launching its Kentucky Oaks and Derby pools a month earlier than usual in 2006. The two races will be run on May 5 and 6 this year. Derby pool dates are Jan 26-29, March 2-5 and April 6-9, coinciding with some major racing dates. The road to Lexington officially started last weekend. Stevie Wonderboy remains among the favorites, despite his second-place finish to Brother Derek in last week's San Rafael Stakes. ***** Jeff Pollack, Harrah's vice president of sports and entertainment marketing, has been named the first commissioner in World Series of Poker history. The gaming giant also announced formation of a six-member Players Advisory Council that will provide input on a wide range of issues involving the WSOP. Members are Chris "Jesus" Ferguson and Scotty Nguyen, two former WSOP champions, Jennifer Harmon, Howard Lederer, David Negraneau and Robert Williamson III. ***** The 2006 WSOP will be held June 25 through Aug. 10 at the Rio Suite Hotel and Casino, with the $10,000 Texas Hold'em main event slated July 28 through Aug. 10. A $50,000 buy-in HORSE event has been added to the menu; the game combines aspects of Omaha, razz, stud and eight or better, giving the WSOP a total of 45 competitions. ***** Currently, the AFC is listed as a 3 1/2-point favorite and the total at 45 in Super Bowl XL in Detroit Feb. 5. The number had been as high as AFC minus 10 when Indianapolis and Peyton Manning were still in the picture.