I am looking for paid directories that display a Top Link on the Home Page as in this example. A directory must be with Categories - not just a bid directory!
i have never sort out this... but you can always click to latest links for checking your listing, sure it's less exposure anyway.
go vmoptions or directorycritic sort by pr, take a look at first 10 and pick from them. however most are expensie and imo not worth the $
i have a directory that put featured link at frontpage... but it will rotate to another featured, you can see at my signature, forum directory
Here's a list of bid for placement directories that separates featured listing prices from the regular listing price. The ones with "bid for placement" in the featured price and DON'T HAVE "bid for placement" in the regular listing should be what you're looking for (regular directories that have a bidding option for featured listings). You can use the search to narrow the list just to that type with your niche, etc.
Check out www.linkmuncher.com it displays a featured link on the main page. Probably that fits your requrements.