PBR's Kasey Hayes takes Round Two at Mohegan Sun, but Briscoe leads the event overall

By Mary Rudloff
Posted Sunday, September 30, 2007

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Practice makes perfect and getting on extra practice bulls paid off Saturday night for Kasey Hayes.

Hayes, of Liberal, Kansas, took top honors in round two of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) three day event at Mohegan Sun casino. Hayes posted an 89.75 point ride on Gold Bell Wine (Chad Berger/Winston Lowe) and held off some of the points race leaders to win the round, ending a self-admitted riding slump. Seated on the cage in the middle of the arena as the last bull riders attempted to beat his score, Hayes said he fought his way past his recent string of buck-offs by getting on practice bulls with buddy JB Mauney.

It was a night full of qualified rides, with 20 scores going up. Only 18 stayed up, however, as both Mauney and LJ Jenkins took points off the board in accepting re-ride options, and then bucked off. Jenkins posted a 74.75 point ride on Joker’s Wild (Jeff Robinson), but then bucked off Superman (Williams/Rothe/Lang) at the 5 second mark. Mauney had an 83-pointer on Lil’ Lobo (Chad Berger/Larry Ryken) but gambled on putting up a higher score, in his points race with Justin McBride.

Mauney didn’t beat the odds, however, and bucked off Tobasco (Williams/Rothe/Lang). Had he held onto his 83-point ride, he would have come out just ahead of McBride, who scored 82.75 on Caramel Corn (Berger Bucking Bulls).

McBride’s ride was one of several that brought out the boo-birds in the rowdy Mohegan Sun crowd, who were looking for higher scores. But McBride has posted an identical score in Friday night’s first round, leaving him one of several cowboys heading into Sunday’s final round in good shape.

Leading those who will climb aboard bulls bright and early Sunday is Travis Briscoe, who holds the lead in the average. Briscoe added 87 points aboard Cosmo (Sonny Williams) to Friday night’s 84.75 score, to lead the way with 171.75 points on two head.

Other riders with two scores on the board at the end of Saturday night are Brendon Clark (161.75); and Wiley Petersen (165.5) and Valdiron de Oliveira (164.5).

Winning Saturday night’s round, Hayes will be looking to keep the momentum going Sunday as riders with only one score in the two rounds look to secure their places in Sunday’s short-go.

Other riders who put up their first scores of the weekend on Saturday night includes:

• Guilherme Marchi gained some ground Saturday night, with his 88.5 pointer on Texas (Chad Berger/Larry Ryken).
• 2004 champ Mike Lee caught some air on Rudolph (Davis/Wilson/Mayo/Hooker) with 86.75 points, that brought cheers and some boos for judges, as some fans wanted even more points for their favorite;
• Stephenville, Texas’s Harve Stewart brought huge cheers – particularly from his father standing up behind the chutes – when he covered Texas Jack for 86.5 points;
• Standing fourth in the overall points race for the PBR World Champion title, Georgia’s Sean Willingham rocked the crowd on Rockin Robin (Chad Berger/Larry Ryken) for 86.5 points;
• Colorado’s Kody Lostroh brought loud cheers with an 85.75 on Strike (Jeff Robinson), as the bull ran him up the fence;
• Beau Hill scored 85 points on Dog Dip (Dog (Tommy Schrader/Anchor Bull Co);
• Clayton Foltyn, one of the BFTS newcomers, put up 84.0 points onWhite Shadow ((Chad Berger/Larry Ryken);
• Dustin Hall, who has been creeping up in the standings, scored 83.75 points on Moon Dog (Tommy Schrader/Anchor Bull Co);
• Ned Cross, with 83.25 points on Outlaw Kid (Dough Butcher);
• Chad Denton looked anything but on Sloppy (John & Lacey Berger) for 83.25 points;
• Clayton Williams showed real style on Real McCoy (John & Lacey Berger) for 83 points;
• Cord McCoy, with an 82.75 pointer on Huggy Bear (Doug Butcher) brought cheers along with a few boos from fans who wanted to see more points for the perpetually smiling Oklahoman;
• Zack Brown, with an 81.5 point ride on Elise’s Banana (Frontier/Teague). Brown is in the process of making his return to the PBR, after retiring following some serious injuries in 2005;

Rocky McDonald had an ugly get-off on George’s Pride (Davis/Wilson/Happy H) and had to be assisted out of the arena Saturday night, adding insult to injury after he had to be assisted out Friday night.

The wreck of the night went to Brian Herman, however. Bucking off Spuds McKenzie (Frontier Rodeo Co.), Herman’s spur hung in the rope. The bull, evidently figuring his work was done, headed through the out-gate, dragging Herman along with him. Attempts by the bullfighters to get Herman loose before Spuds dragged him back to the pens was less than successful, and sent the bullfighters to the dirt in their efforts. Herman quickly re-emerged in the arena, to the cheers of the crowd, with a smile on his face to show he was none worse for the adventure.

On the injury front, it was reported that Tater Porter underwent surgery Friday night, having had both bones in his forearm (free arm) broken when Olivia (Frontier) stepped on Porter after bucking him off. Porter is expected to be discharged from the hospital Sunday, and is not anticipated to return to competition until the PBR Finals next month at the earliest.

All photos ã 2007 Mary Rudloff