Durfey continues hot trend

LAS VEGAS – Cody Ohl had the big moment in tie-down roping Saturday, but Tyson Durfey continues to set the overall pace.

Five-time world champion Ohl, of Hico, Texas, won the competition in 6.9 seconds, finishing just four-tenths shy of his NFR record during the third round of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Durfey, of Colbert, placed sixth with a time of 8.6 seconds to earn $2,704. Durfey followed a second-place finish in the first round and a first-place effort during the second to lead with an average of 23.50 for three rounds.

“I was riding a new horse (in rounds one and two) I bought a month ago,” Ohl said. “Luke (the horse Ohl usually rides) has been sore in his heels and I really didn’t have any confidence. I practiced on him three days ago, and we’ve been working on him every day since and got him back feeling good.”

Elsewhere, Cheney’s Ryan Gray tied for fourth place in bareback riding.

Gray scored 83.5 points and earned $4,688. He tied for fourth with world leader Steven Dent of Mullen, Neb., who remained in first place overall. Royce Ford of Briggsdale, Colo., won with an 88.5 and moved from sixth to fourth in the standings.

Zack Oakes of Elk, Wash., joined a group of 13 that tied for third place in bull riding.

Standings leader Chance Smart of Philadelphia, Miss., remained in first with $179,917 after tying for first at 91.5 points on Scoundrel. Douglas Duncan of Huntsville, Texas, tied with Smart on War Zone. They were the only riders out of the 15 competitors to have successful rides.