13 Lucky For Pretty Kitties

It was just like that other beauty pageant, only the contestants were … cattier.

There were custom-made dresses, a distinguished panel of judges, a talent competition, cheering spectators - even back-biting and grumbling about the winner’s qualifications.

Thumbing their noses at superstition, Harrah’s Casino Hotel held a beauty contest for black cats Friday, offering $100 and a “kitty condo” to the winners.

What better way to celebrate Friday the 13th in a city famous for the Miss America Pageant and casino gambling?

The cats were to be judged on a scale of 1 to 10 for attitude, appearance, talent, movement, costume and owner participation.

Jade, a 4-year-old domestic long-hair, wore a black satin cape, a black feather boa and a black cone-shaped hat. Jinxy, a 2-year-old, donned a pink cape trimmed with pink feathers.

Good thing they dressed well.

The finicky felines had stage fright: Not one would walk down the white carpet runway or demonstrate their alleged talents, which were said to include chasing moths, hunting, winking and dancing on hind legs.

When the owners and cats gathered for a group photo on stage, a cat named Pepper attacked another cat before turning on her owner, pawing aggressively and baring her teeth.

So much for winning Miss Congeniality.

When the votes were tallied, the winner was Dipstick, an 8-week-old kitten who is white with black spots.

“How can a white cat win a black cat beauty contest?” said one owner.

Dipstick has the same ambitions as any other beauty queen.

“Dipstick plans to conquer world hunger and help people who can’t read,” said emcee John Speeney.