The Elevator

By Ron Kantowski

Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Who’s going to the penthouse in local sports — and who’s getting the shaft.

GOING UP

Ryan Ludwick

The former Durango High and UNLV slugger homered for the fifth consecutive day Wednesday, giving him 29 for the season. Not only is the Cardinals’ All-Star outfielder going up, he’s going deep, too.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Active-duty military personnel with ID will be admitted free to The Bullring for tonight’s stockcar racing program. That’s a nice way to say thanks to our fighting men and women. Beer, soda and hot dogs are only $1. That’s a nice way to say thanks to everybody else.

Bishop Gorman

The Nevada state champions in football will play Brophy Prep of Phoenix, the Arizona state champs in football, in the AIA Sollenberger Classic at University of Phoenix Stadium on Aug. 23. Gorman’s new football digs may be state of the art, but this is the stadium where the Super Bowl was played. The Arizona Cardinals play there, too, but that’s not nearly as impressive.

GOING DOWN

Jets minus 3

Within minutes after the Jets traded for Brett Favre, the Las Vegas Hilton took them off the betting board Wednesday night to adjust their odds. This was done so the Hilton wouldn’t leave itself exposed like the Dolphins’ secondary. The adjusted numbers went back up Thursday. This was done so the Hilton can take more money from Jets fans.

Marathon street cred

The Las Vegas Marathon has been asked to put up a $3 million bond to ensure that vendors and runners get paid this year. If the runners don’t start getting paid in a more timely fashion, the Kenyans are going to stay home. And a marathon without Kenyans is just another jog in the park. Albeit a long one.

Las Vegas Aces

That’s the name of yet another minor league professional basketball team that is starting up in Las Vegas under the banner of the old ABA. I’d bet 8 inches of Darnell Hillman’s Afro that this one won’t make it, either.