Jacko six degrees from LV Hilton

What do we know about the man who saved Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch from public auction?

The most tantalizing tidbit about real estate magnate Thomas Barrack Jr. is his ownership position in the Las Vegas Hilton. His giant real estate investment company, Colony Capital LLC, is a partner with Colony Resorts LVH Acquisitions LLC.

So now that Barrack has rescued the 2,700-acre Neverland property for Jackson, the Hilton appears to be well positioned if the singer returns to the stage.

Insiders I talked to Wednesday agreed on that, but, one warned, "you would be premature to assume this is any more than a business deal. I'm not saying it couldn't be more down the road, but right now it's early."

Barrack, in his early 60s, is a major player in the real estate investment world. The scouting report on him goes like this: "Known for being ahead of the curve ... specializes in investing in operating businesses that have a significant real estate component."

Barrack spent a reported $23.5 million to purchase the Neverland loan, which was held by Fortress Investment Group, a New York-based private equity and hedge fund group. Jackson had defaulted on loan payments on the Santa Barbara County property.

There's speculation already that Barrack could sell off the property piecemeal for $100 million. The big question is: What did Jackson agree to as part of the deal?

I've confirmed that Barrack, who lives in Los Angeles, recently met with Jackson in Las Vegas at the singer's new residence on Palomino Lane.

Barrack founded Colony Capital, which has invested almost $40 billion since 1991, deals that helped him rank among Forbes magazine's 400 richest Americans. He's known for taking big stakes in European luxury hotels. Colony Capital partnered with Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta when they took Station Casinos private in November 2007.

SIMON SIZZLES

The restaurant empire of "Iron Chef" Kerry Simon expands this week with the opening of Simon at Palms Place.

Like Cathouse, his months-old Luxor concept, Simon's latest has its own identity, starting with the 19-cabana pool that wraps around most of the sixth-floor restaurant.

In the planning phase, Simon and landlord George Maloof found themselves gravitating toward a 1950s style design. One of the most popular dining areas will probably be the poolside Herb Room, which gets its name from the fresh basil, rosemary, chives and cilantro being grown in an adjacent room separated by wall-to-ceiling glass.

Simon always wanted a sushi master, and Maloof loved the idea. Simon found his man: He hired Osamu Miyazawa from Okada at Wynn Las Vegas.

Simon's menu will include his signature short ribs.

"We took 'em off the menu at the Hard Rock" (where he operated Simon Kitchen & Bar for six years), he said, but Carolyn Goodman, Mayor Oscar Goodman's wife, let him know about it. "She said, 'I'll come back when you put 'em back on,' and we had 'em back on the next day."

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Former Golden Nugget co-owner Tom Breitling will have a book release party for "Double or Nothing" at Tao Las Vegas today, with a 9:30 p.m. red carpet.

SIGHTINGS

Emmanuel Lewis, joining Nathan Burton's opening-night act Monday at the Flamingo. Also in the crowd: Lance Burton, Teller from Penn and Teller, Gerry McCambridge, Mac King, Jeff Beacher and professional poker player Antonio "The Magician" Esfandari, a former magician. Earlier, Burton and Lewis stopped in the dressing room at the "America's Got Talent" callback tapings at Planet Hollywood Resort to visit David Hasselhoff, who picked up 4-foot-tall Lewis and held him aloft. Lewis reminded Hasselhoff that he had given him his first puppy. ... Lance Armstrong, marking the fifth anniversary of his Livestrong Day with an appearance Tuesday that included touring and talking to patients at the Nevada Cancer Institute.

THE PUNCH LINE

"The economy is starting to stink. Over at St. Patrick's Cathedral, they're starting to water down the holy water." -- David Letterman

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.