Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith put together back-to-back 4.3-second runs to win $4,188 and have the best two-head Average among the first half of the contestants to compete at the Cinch Playoffs in Puyallup.
“It definitely gets my blood pumping (seeing a 4.4 and 4.5-second run before them), I ain’t done a good job the last couple of weeks and just seeing them get tapped off like that run after run, gets your blood pumping and makes you want to go fast,” Tomlinson said after the pair’s Round 1 win.
The other three teams advancing from the first two performances are Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp (9.9 on two), Coy Rahlmann/Jonathan Torres (10.2 on two ) and Cody Snow/Ross Ashford (10.5 on two).
The four teams will be joined by four more from Saturday’s two performances and they will all compete in the Semifinals of the Cinch Playoffs on Sunday. Those who advance to the Final Four will automatically qualify for the Governor’s Cup on Sept. 28-30, which pays over $1 million.
Smith said he believes the final weekend in Sioux Falls will ultimately have a big impact on the Gold Buckle race.
“I’m excited, I’ve been around long enough to experience the old days of the Tour Finale and I’ve missed them,” he said. “It’s a great idea, it’s great for rodeo.”