Tall in the saddle.
With two top-five finishes Wednesday — in steer wrestling and tie-down roping — Pueblo cowboy Josh Peek jumped to second place in the all-around world standings at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. If he can hold on, Peek will be among the stories of the year at the Super Bowl of rodeos.
Peek trails only Trevor Brazile, who is on his way to winning a record-tying seventh all-around title, matching Hall of Famer Ty Murray. Brazile is well ahead of the field.
But the race for second place is a heated one. Before the eighth round late Thursday, Peek’s $187,370 led Clint Robinson, of Spanish Fork, Utah, at $181,915.
Also keep an eye on cousins Royce Ford of Briggsdale and Heath Ford of Greeley. Royce won Sunday’s fourth round in bareback riding, with Heath right behind in third place.
Tonight’s ninth round airs on ESPN Classic at 8 p.m., and Saturday’s 10th round concludes the NFR on ESPN2 at 9 p.m.
GET OFF THE COUCH
Jingle all the way.
One of the biggest December holiday races in the city, Sunday’s Jingle Bell Run in Denver’s Washington Park, should draw a big crowd, no matter the weather.
That the forecast calls for sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-40s could be icing on the cake, or the gingerbread house, depending on your season outlook.
The Jingle Bell runs through the late morning, with a kids fun run, 5K run, 5K run/walk with dogs, and a 5K walk.
It’s an occasion for raising funds to help the Arthritis Foundation. Check for information.
