Kentucky Derby was watched by many Americans

The Kentucky Derby was watched by an average of 16.5 million people Saturday, the best such figure in 21 years, despite the lack of a clear favorite or dominant story line.

And 9.8 percent of homes were tuned in, matching last year for the best rating since 1992.

Elsewhere in random ratings news . . . Game 2 of the Sharks-Red Wings series on Versus averaged 1.77 million viewers, the best such figure for a second-round NHL game on cable TV since 2000.