Chris Daughtry and Katharine McPhee Are American Idol Bettors Favorites  3/20/06

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Chris Daughtry remains the bettors favorite at Sportsbook.com; Katharine McPhee's odds improve - she's closing in on odds race leader

NEW YORK, NY, March 20 /PRNewswire/ - After last week's Stevie Wonder tribute show on American Idol we saw the exit of Melissa McGhee and stellar performances by front runners Chris Daughtry and Katharine McPhee. The race between the two has tightened with Daughtry's odds changing from 5-2 to 2-1, and McPhee closing the gap, her odds improving from 4-1 to 7-2. Betting sentiment is following suit, Daughtry is taking 17.8 per cent of wagers and McPhee is nipping at his heels with 16.1 per cent.

Former top pick Ace Young continues to fall from favor, his odds falling to 9-1 this week from 5-1 last week. Currently receiving 11 per cent of sportsbook.com wagers, Young will have to make some major changes if he wants to try to gain television viewer support and climb back up the ranks.

"Simon Cowell seems to like Chris Daughtry, and staying faithful to his rocker style seems popular with viewers so it's no surprise that bettors are backing him too," said Alex Czajkowski, Marketing Director, Sportsbook.com. "However, two weeks ago it seemed as if nothing would rock Ace Young from his perch but he's losing public support to the surprise of the judges which proves that anything can happen."

Mandisa, Taylor Hicks and Paris Bennett are holding their positions in the middle of the pack in the odds race, Mandisa and Hicks are both listed at 5-1 and Bennett is at 8-1. Strangely though, only 3.2 per cent of bettors are backing Mandisa, the 29 year old from Antioch, TN.

For up to the minute odds please visit, Sportsbook.com, where everybody bets.

American Idol Season 5 (FOX) - Who Will be The Winner:

Contestant                  Odds                    Betting Trend

Chris Daughtry               2-1                        17.8%

Katharine McPhee         7-2                        16.1%

Mandisa                         5-1                         3.2%

Taylor Hicks                   5-1                         9.5%

Paris Bennett                   8-1                       10.9%

Ace Young                      9-1                       11.1%

Elliott Yamin                  10-1                        6.4%

Kellie Pickler                 12-1                        6.5%

Lisa Tucker                   12-1                       13.0%

Kevin Covais                 60-1                        0.2%

Bucky Covington           80-1                        0.6%

American Idol Season 5 (FOX) - Winner Will Be:

Female                       10-11                        52.1%

Male                             5-6                         47.9%

SOURCE Sportsbook.com

-0- 03/20/2006

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