Days of '47 Rodeo: Milford's Wright tops in second round

West Valley City • It was a saddle-bronc extravaganza Tuesday night at Maverik Center.

Cody Wright, of Milford, stole the star-studded show.

Two of the top five, three of the top 15 and seven of the top 33 cowboys in the current world standings competed in the second round of the Days of '47 Rodeo.

The nine saddle-bronc riders who participated have qualified for the National Finals Rodeo 23 times in their careers, and they have already amassed more than $225,000 in combined earnings this season.

In the end, Wright proved to be the best of the best.

Riding an up-and-coming horse named Double Vision, he posted a score of 83 to win the round.

Wright also moved into a tie for the overall lead with opening-round winner Cody Angland, of New South Wales, Australia.

Double Vision is "a young horse, but she's starting to get really good," Wright said. "I had her last year at Elko [Nev.], and she was young then. It might have been her first trip to a PRCA rodeo."

Now more experienced, Double Vision carried Wright to a round-winning victory that could be good enough to earn a hefty paycheck when the Days of '47 Rodeo concludes Monday night.

"She jumped out of there — jumping and kicking — and then stumbled," Wright said. "She felt a little wild, but she was good — very good. I can't complain at all."

Wright won the Days of '47 Rodeo last summer — a victory that propelled him to his second world championship in three years.

With $70,764 already in the bank this season, Wright ranks second in the current world standings, just behind Taos Muncy. Even if he didn't make another dime, Wright has probably clinched a spot in what will be his ninth National Finals, since the top-15 money winners qualify.

Just don't expect Wright to take anything for granted.

"I don't want 'good enough' to be good enough," he said. "I want to move up."

Three of Wright's brothers also competed in the second round at the Days of '47, but none of them posted a score that enabled them to break into the top three.

Alex Wright finished with a 72, Jesse Wright scored a 69 and Jake Wright ended up with a 63.

Jesse Wright ranks fifth in the world standings, and Jake Wright moved into 15th after winning at Colorado Springs last week. Alex Wright ranks 33rd.

"I'm so proud of them," Cody Wright said. "They are riding really good. They just didn't draw the best [horses] tonight.

"You wish you could have the best horse every night. But a lot of times, it doesn't happen. So you just take what you get and make the best of it." —

Highlights

R World saddle-bronc champion Cody Wright, of Milford, wins the second round at the Days of '47 Rodeo.

• Travis Atkinson, of Lehi, finishes in a three-way tie for first place in bull riding after posting a score of 86. —

Days of '47 Rodeo

Where • Maverik Center, West Valley City

When • Nightly (except Sunday) through July 25.

Time • 7 p.m. | Tickets • Call 801-988-8800

Prices • $5 to $47 | Website • Daysof47.com