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The chase for the Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) 2008 Daisy Rookie of the Year title is on! With just over $200 separating the top two riders, it’s a tight race that’s heating up! The rookie who has won the most money through the regular season and the Built Ford Tough World Finals in Las Vegas later this year earns the coveted title of Daisy Rookie of the Year and a $10,000 bonus.

This year’s eligibility rules have been modified from past years. “Rookie” eligibility now requires that a bull rider compete at a Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler (BFTS) event for the first time in 2008. Previously a bull rider was considered a rookie after he earned his PBR membership card; however, he did not need to compete in a BFTS event.

As of today's date, the PBR riders who are in contention for the 2008 “Daisy Rookie of the Year” award are: 1) Reese Cates (Carthage, Texas) $36,874.52; 2) Kolt Donaldson (Idabel, Okla.) $36,635.19; 3) Pistol Robinson (Burleson, Texas) $33,705.87; 4) Jarrod Craig (Hillsboro, Texas) $26,222.60; 5) Vince Northrup ( Davidson, SK) 17,552.66; 6) Jimmy Lathero (Fellsmere, Fla) $15,767.41; 7) D.J. Domangue (Schriever, La.) $15,687.96.

Current number one rookie Reese Cates has competed in 11 BFTS events, and placed in the top 10 twice. Trailing by a mere $230, Kolt Donaldson has competed in three BFTS events, Tacoma Wash. being the most recent. Pistol Robinson has competed in seven BFTS events and has finished in the top ten four times. Jarrod Craig has placed in the top ten in both BFTS events in which he’s competed. Canadian Vince Northrup has competed in one BFTS event, the sixth tour stop in Albany, N.Y. Jimmy Lathero has competed in eight BFTS events. D.J. Domangue’s run for the Rookie of the Year ended at the BFTS event in Winston-Salem, N.C. where he broke his femur. The Louisiana cowboy will be sidelined the rest of the 2008 season.

These riders will be competing on the BFTS tour this season; each is determined to retain his top 45 status and gain the valuable dollars needed to win the 2008 Daisy Rookie of the Year title. Stay tuned to VERSUS each Saturday and Sunday evening at 8 p.m. ET and the PBR web site, www.pbrnow.com for all the hard-hitting action as the race continues to sizzle in 2008.