Mark J. Terrill Associated Press
Hall of Famer Mike Smith, right, urges Royal Delta to the finish line in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic on Friday at Santa Anita Park.
Poll
Who is the best center taken in the 2010 NBA draft?
Your vote has been counted, thank you for voting.
Like cocktails and fascinators, horse racing can be cool again.
The Breeders' Cup again demonstrated that its "dying sport" still has legs – and glamour, too. Thoroughbred racing's just-concluded world championships definitely have the best-dressed crowd at any sporting event.
One look around the packed Santa Anita paddock and clubhouse Friday and Saturday in Arcadia confirmed that horse racing is bringing in new fans who come for the party as much as the ponies. In fedoras and flirty hats, thousands of 20- and 30-somethings toasted the winners while looking like swells.
Over two days, almost 90,000 fans turned out to see the Cup. Millions more watched on TV. The first prime-time telecast of Saturday's $5 million Classic, America's richest race, drew a 2.2 overnight Nielsen rating, almost double last year's 1.2.
In another upward indicator, national wagering already surpassed $9.2 billion this year, up 2 percent from 2011, as racing continues to rebound from the recession. Fans bet more than $144 million on Cup weekend.
If those Cup fans cashed some tickets, they'll be back. Next year's Breeders' Cup will be at Santa Anita, too.
What to do, watch
NBA, Detroit at Kings, 7 p.m., Sleep Train Arena, CSNCA: If you don't want to shell out for tickets, turn on the tube for this showdown of 2010 draft picks DeMarcus Cousins and Greg Monroe.
Today's poll
Who is the best center taken in the 2010 NBA draft?
• DeMarcus Cousins
• Greg Monroe
• Other
Vote above or leave your comments in the comment field; or, go to www.sacbee.com/sports
Tuesday's results
Should the Giants re-sign Melky Cabrera?
• Yes, everyone deserves a second chance: 39%
• No, Giants are fine without him: 61%
Total votes: 209
The last word
What you're saying on sacbee.com comments:
• "On this election day, I vote "no" to bring back Cabrera." – NSacRube on "Cheaters Cabrera, Colon have last laugh"
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