Wrights ride tall in saddle bronc

Utah's Wright brothers are soaring higher than their airborne namesakes at the National Finals Rodeo.

For the second straight night, Cody Wright won the saddle bronc riding go-round and rookie Jesse Wright was right behind in second.

Cody, the 2008 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world champion, moved into first place in the season standings Friday night and extended it by winning another $17,512 Saturday at the 10-day rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center.

"It's awesome any time you can win a round, but it does feel different this year," he said. "For some reason, I don't feel as much pressure this year."

The Milford, Utah, roughstock cowboy is competing in his eighth NFR. His 88-point ride on Kesler Championship Rodeo's Spanish Pair was half a point better than his brother's score.

The only lead change in the world championship standings was in bareback riding, where Steve Dent won the go-round and took the lead from Ryan Gray, who withdrew from the rodeo after being stepped on in Friday's go-round and sustaining a lacerated liver.

Other winners Saturday were: Todd Suhn (Hermosa, S.D.), steer wrestling; Trevor Brazile (Decatur, Texas) and Patrick Smith (Midland, Texas), team roping; Tuf Cooper (Decatur, Texas), calf roping; Sherry Cervi (Mirana, Ariz.), barrel racing; and Kanin Asay (Powell, Wyo.), bull riding.

■ BRAZILE WATCH II -- Trevor Brazile clinched his eighth all-around world championship Friday but has a new target to aim for.

The PRCA has introduced the Top Gun Award this year for the NFR contestant who earns the most money during the 10-day rodeo. Brazile has an edge as the only one of 119 contestants competing in two events.

Brazile's win as a team roping header Saturday pushed his NFR earnings after three nights to $44,627, which leads team roping partner Smith ($41,802) and bull rider J.W. Harris ($40,108). Brazile also has won $2,824 in calf roping.

The Top Gun winner receives a truck, custom belt buckle and commemorative gun.

■ EARLY START -- Tonight's fourth go-round begins at 5:45 p.m.

Contact reporter Jeff Wolf at jwolf@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0247.