Chorizo joins Brewers 'Sausage Race'

MILWAUKEE, July 31 (UPI) -- A 9-foot-tall chorizo has joined the hot dog, Polish sausage, bratwurst and Italian sausage in the "Sausage Race" at Milwaukee's Miller Park.

For years mascots dressed as giant sausages have battled it out in a spirited foot race between the sixth inning at Brewers home baseball games, with fans rooting on their favorite meaty delicacy.

The race began as an animated scoreboard feature but became so popular actors were hired to dress up as mobile sausages.

German, Polish and Italian immigrants have all added their flavors to Milwaukee and now Hispanics are making their contribution. Wisconsin's Hispanic population increased 23 percent from 2000 to 2004.

"El Picante," as the spicy rookie is called, made his debut Saturday night, when a Hispanic tailgating party doubled the stadium's usual crowd, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The chorizo -- brainchild of a Hispanic marketing consultant -- has a goatee and wears a straw sombrero, a traditional guayabera shirt and a green Mexican League bandana.

"El Picante" placed third in his first race, behind the bratwurst and the Italian sausage.