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Agnaldo Cardozo wins Grand Rapids riding Mud Flap
PBR - 09/23/2007
by Kristin Vanscoyk
Johnsonville Brats Invitational win secures PBR World Finals position for one cowboy
Don't miss the action at 8 p.m. ET on VERSUS MEDIA CONTACT:
Kristin Vanscoyk
PBR Public Relations
719.242.2800, ext. 3368 office
719-352-9592 cell
kristin@pbrnow.com
Photo: Andy Watson
First time Built Ford Tough Series qualifier, Agnaldo Cardozo, takes home the top spot with his win during the Grand Rapids PBR.
Click here to see more of Andy's Photos
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (September 23, 2007) - The race for the 2007 Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Built Ford Tough World Finals presented by Wrangler intensified this weekend in Grand Rapids, Mich. with the Johnsonville Brats Invitational. Stop number 26 on the elite Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS) presented by Wrangler solidified one man's hopes of being among the best of the best at the 2007 PBR World Finals. Agnaldo Cardozo (Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil) was the only man to cover three bulls and thus claimed the illustrious event championship. The $26,572.50 Cardozo claimed was enough to boost him from number 57 to 29 in the qualifier standings and give him a guaranteed spot in Las Vegas on October 26-28 and November 1-4 for the 2007 PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals.
"I am very thankful to the Lord for the ability to win this event," said Cardozo through translator, Adriano Moraes. "I am also thankful to all my friends back home." The Johnsonville Brats Invitational was Cardozo's first ever BFTS appearance - he rode as an alternate this weekend - and first career win.
In the first round Cardozo finished in tenth position with his 83.25 point ride aboard Doug Butcher Bucking Bulls' Parrot Bay. His 82.75 point ride in the second round aboard Rickey West's Zero X was enough to hold down third place going into the Built Ford Tough Championship Round. Steven Shelley (Natural Dam, Ark.) was the first man to make a qualified ride in the Championship Round when he covered Bad Medicine owned by Berger Bucking Bulls for 88.25 points. L.J. Jenkins (Texico, N.M.) was the next man to bring the crowd to their feet when he rode Dr. Proctor owned by Chumley/Katich/R&L for 86.5 points. Jenkins became only the fifth man in PBR history to ride this magnificent animal.
2007 Daisy Rookie of the Year race leader Clayton Williams (Carthage, Texas) was the next cowboy to thrill Michigan bull riding fans when he covered Scaredy Cat owned by Chad Berger/Ryken/Hawks for 89.75 points. As this was the high marked ride for the event, Williams claimed the Cabela's Foremost Ride of the Event with the score and claimed the $1,000 bonus.
However, it was Cardozo who grabbed the limelight when he scored 82.75 points aboard Mud Flap owned by Bonsall/Gene Owen Bucking Bulls. Cardozo earned a total of 248.75 points on three bulls to capture first place and the $26,572.50 payout. Previously, Cardozo had only won $51,502 in career earnings. With the impressive jump in the standings, Cardozo has the opportunity to compete for $3.2 million more at the PBR World Finals.
Incidentally, Steven Shelley's third place finish helped him move from number 51 to 42 in the qualifier standings. Shelley still isn't guaranteed a spot at the PBR World Finals, but the boost in his PBR season earnings will certainly increase his chances of competing in Las Vegas.
The Johnsonville Brats Invitational put Luke Snyder (Raymore, Mo.) in the PBR history books. Snyder tied the record for competing in the most consecutive events which was previously held by J.W. Hart (Overbrook, Okla.). Both men have competed in 197 consecutive events. Snyder is expected to break that record next weekend in Uncasville, Conn.
2005 PBR World Champion and current BFTS Points Standings leader, Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) was bucked off of MVP II owned by Tony Sharp in the second round of competition. On the dismount he injured his neck and will undergo x-rays next week to verify the extent of his injuries. However, Dr. Tandy Freeman states that McBride is probable to compete at the Mohegan Sun Invitational next week in Uncasville, Conn. McBride increased his lead to 1,910.25 points over young gun J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.) in the first round when he scored 84 points aboard Rickey West's Genex Stormy. Mauney did not compete in Grand Rapids due to a re-injured right knee in Greensboro, N.C.
Fans won't want to miss a second of the action as the race for the 2007 PBR World Championship heats up. VERSUS will air the conclusion of the Johnsonville Brats Invitational Sunday, September 23 at 8 p.m. ET.
Non-stop action continues next weekend as the top 45 cowboys battle the East Coast's toughest bulls in Uncasville, Conn. at the Mohegan Sun Invitational September 28-30. The event is the second of the fall season to be carried by both VERSUS and FOX. Be sure to check your local listings for TV times as the FOX broadcst times will vary across the nation.
INJURY REPORT:
Jason Bennett (Honeygrove, Texas) suffered a fractured rib during the Johnsonville Brats Invitational. Bennett is out until the PBR World Finals.
Chad Castillo (Lipan, Texas) injured the MCL in his right knee. He is out of competition.
Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) suffered an injury to his neck. X-rays are scheduled for next week. He is probable for Uncasville, Conn.
Colby Yates (Fort Worth, Texas) sustained a concussion without loss of consciousness. He is probable for Uncasville, Conn.
