LAS VEGAS (AP) Trevor Brazile increased his chances of a record-tying three world titles with victories Thursday night in team and tie-down roping in the eighth round of the National Final Rodeo.
Brazile, from Decatur, Texas, is second in the team roping standings and first in the NFR aggregate standings. He is third in the tie-down roping world and aggregate standings.
If Brazile, who won the steer roping world title Nov. 8 and a record-setting ninth straight all-around crown and 21st gold buckle following the third round, can win either the team roping or tie-down roping title he will tie Jim Shoulders' record of three triple crowns (1956-58). Brazile won the triple crown in 2007 and 2010.
Brazile has earned $421,271 this season after making $36,012 during round eight.
In team roping, Brazile and Travis Graves of Jay, Oklahoma, advanced from third to a close second in the world standings with $159,632 each after winning the round in 3.80 seconds. They also moved up from fourth to third in the aggregate standings at 46.30 for seven successful efforts.
''We've come a long ways, but we still have a long way to go,'' Brazile said. ''Two rounds doesn't sound like much when you say it fast, but there's still a lot of rodeo left.''
Header Clay Tryan of Billings, Montana, and heeler Jade Corkill, of Fallon, Nevada, tied for second in 4.00 and remained first in the world standings with $160,292 each and the NFR aggregate standings with a time of 58.90 for eight rounds.
Defending world champions Tryan and Corkill are the only pair to have eight successful rounds. In tie-down roping, Brazile tied for first with Matt Shiozawa of Chubbuck, Idaho, in 6.8.
Two-time world champion Tuf Cooper of Decatur, Texas, remained first in the world standings with $181,662 and also is second in the aggregate race with a time of 72.60 for eight rides after not placing among the top six with a time of 8.00.
''There's no secret in tie-down. I have to blast,'' Brazile said. ''I have to do all I can do every night.''
Six-time world champion Cody Ohl of Hico, Texas, remained first in NFR earnings with $61,605. Shiozawa remained in first place in the aggregate standings with a time of 70.90 for eight rides and stayed second in the world standings with $165,561.
In bull riding, NFR rookie Sage Kimzey of Strong City, Oklahoma, clinched his first world championship by finishing third with an 84.5 on Guns Donuts. He is the lone rider to cover seven of his eight bulls.
Kimzey leads the world standings with $250,897, almost $100,000 ahead of second-place Trey Benton III of Rock Island, Texas, with $159,874.
Kimzey also is first in the aggregate standings with 583.5 points for seven rides and leads all NFR competitors with $107,731 earned over eight rounds here. He became the second bull rider to win the world championship during his rookie season, following Bill Kornell in 1963.
Joe Frost of Randlett, Utah, remained second in the aggregate standings with 407 points for five rides. He was unable to post a score on Artic Monkey during round eight.
Jordan Spears of Redding, California, placed first in round eight with an 85.5 on Johnny Ramone.
In bareback riding, Austin Foss of Terrebonne, Oregon, took over the NFR aggregate standings lead with 651.5 points for eight rides by winning with an 85.5 on Black Kat. He remained in second place in the world standings with $184,475.
Three-time world champion Kaycee Feild of Spanish Fork, Utah, stayed in first place in the world standings with $212,227 after tying for fifth with an 80.5 on Show Stomper.
In steer wrestling, NFR rookie Kyle Irwin of Robertsdale, Alabama, claimed his third NFR victory by tying with Ty Erickson of Helena, Montana, for first place in 3.7.
Four-time world champion Luke Branquinho of Los Alamos, California, who didn't place among the top six in a time of 4.2, held onto first place in both the world and NFR aggregate standings. He tops the world standings with $138,630 and leads the aggregate with a time of 32.70 over eight head.
In saddle bronc riding, Heith DeMoss of Heflin, Louisiana, returned to the top spot with $163,830 after posting a first-place score of 84 on Vitalix Hell's Fire Hostage.
Spencer Wright of Milford, Utah, remained first in the NFR aggregate standings with 647 over eight rounds after finishing third with an 82.5 on Sweatin' Bullets.
In barrel racing, Lisa Lockhart of Oelrichs, South Dakota, took over the NFR aggregate standings lead with a time of 116.95 over eight rounds following her second-place ride of 13.81.
But Lockhart remained second behind Fallon Taylor of Whitesboro, Texas, who has earned $218,821 in the world standings and is in first place despite not finishing among the top six in 14.02. Mary Walker of Ennis, Texas, who claimed the 2011 world championship, won with a 13.79.
