Dust settles on Echelon Place

Stardust Race and Sports Director Bob Scucci has a future with Boyd Gaming -- no question about that -- but neither he nor anyone else knows exactly what it will be. This week's announcement that the legendary Strip casino will be demolished and replaced by a $4 million megaresort called Echelon Place caught many observers by surprise and clouded the crystal ball as far as Scucci's future is concerned. "Bob is a longtime Boyd employee and he'll be with us in some way, shape or form, but we're just starting our design and planning, so it's premature to say what that will be," declared Boyd Gaming spokesman Rob Stillwell. "Right now it's business as usual, at least through the end of the year." And the first order of business at the moment is the NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl. "We're getting a lot of action and New England-Denver is getting the most," Scucci said. "We have more on New England, but the wise guys like Denver. "The Colts have been getting the money all year and now is no exception. It's a high number (Indianapolis minus 9 1/2), but Pittsburgh has a following and we're getting money on both sides." NFC money at the Stardust is coming in on Seattle and Carolina. "The Redskins weren't that impressive in their win (over Tampa Bay)," Scucci said. "The 'Skins aren't getting much action and the parlays have Seattle. "Carolina's getting action in the other game and the Bears are minus 2 1/2, down from 3. There's much more interest in the total on this game, though. "We opened the total at 31 1/2 and it's now 30 1/2." Scucci said late Wednesday afternoon. "These are two defensive teams and we're getting much more on the over/under." The Bears, who will host Sunday's game, beat Carolina 13-3 at Soldier Field earlier in the year. Scucci forecasts the Pats will return to the Super Bowl and face Carolina in a surprise matchup. Stillwell noted Stardust traditions, such as daily radio shows and the popular Invitational football contest, will continue through 2006.