NEW YORK (AP) – About 17 million people watched Smarty Jones win the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, the second-biggest audience since 19 million tuned in for the 1992 Derby.

About 18 million watched Monarchos win the Derby in 2001.

NBC’s coverage drew a 7.4 national rating, a 16 percent increase over last year’s 6.4. It ties the 1996 rating for the second-highest rating since 1994’s 7.5.

The 2001 Derby had an 8.1.

Saturday’s telecast peaked with a 10.8 rating from 6-6:30 p.m., the time the race was run. It was a 27 percent increase from last year’s 8.5 when Funny Cide won the Derby.

The rating is the percentage of all homes with TVs, whether or not they are in use.

AP-ES-05-06-04 1350EDT