Gray’s Pendleton win boosts bareback lead

An 82-point ride at the Pendleton Roundup wasn’t worth much money for Cheney bareback rider Ryan Gray, but it was just a start.

Gray earned $770 for his 82, which tied him for second. Then he won the final round with an 87 on French Wake, good for $1,650, and that helped him tie for the total on two rides, with the 169 points worth another $5,833.

The big weekend pushed Gray’s season earnings to just shy of $150,000 and more than $42,000 ahead of second.

The win is a good springboard to Justin Boots Championships, the end of a season-long tournament-style series of rodeos.

Both Gray and Colbert tie-down roper Tyson Durfey have qualified for the final 12 in Omaha, Neb.