The Round 8 Barrel Racing record was broken twice last night. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi broke the record with her 13.34-second run, but the new record didn’t stand long. Kassie Mowry posted a 13.30-second run moments later to win the round. There are very few scenarios left where Brittany doesn’t win the Gold Buckle after building such a large lead and also leading the average.
Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp tie the World Record as they re-enter the World Title race. The pair stopped the clock at 3.3 seconds, which tied the arena record and the PRCA record. Thorp and Wade are now projected to finish second in the Team Roping standings behind Andrew Ward and Buddy Hawkins. Team Roping is up for grabs with several teams within striking distance heading into the final two rounds.
Ky Hamilton gets bucked off for the second time, but still remains the heavy favorite. Hamilton failed to make the horn for the second time this NFR, and while Sage Kimzey tied for second, it is likely too little too late for the seven-time World Champ. Hamilton currently leads the average and is $200,000 ahead of both Josh Frost and Kimzey.
Riley Webb inches closer to his first Gold Buckle, but Haven Meged is making things interesting. Meged placed third last night to earn over $18,000. Webb placed fourth earning him $12,000. Meged is still leading the average, but Webb is second and remains the projected World Champion with two rounds to go.
Zeke Thurston looks to lock up another World Title. Although the standings may look close, Zeke Thurston is the heavy favorite to win the Gold Buckle because he has such a commanding lead in the average. The route for Sage Newman or Kade Bruno to win a Gold Buckle requires them to Jump Zeke in the average race. Because of the distance in aggregate scores, they likely need Thurston to be bucked off in one of his final two rides to have a shot.
Round 9 Records:
Bareback Riding: 90 Points, Rowdy Buechner-2005, Tim O’Connell-2018
Saddle Bronc Riding: 92 Points, Dan Mortensen-2002, Ryder Wright-2017, Dawson Hay-2022
Bull Riding: 95.5 Points, Zack Brown-2003
Steer Wrestling: 3.2 Seconds, Derek Daye-1993, Cash Myers-2001, Luke Branquinho-2007
Team Roping: 3.3 Seconds Chad Masters & Jade Corkill-2009, Kaleb Driggers & Junior Nogueira-2017
Tie-Down Roping: 6.6 Seconds, Hunter Herrin-2015
Barrel Racing: 13.34 Seconds, Hailey Kinsel-2022
