Moraes made history last year when he staged a surprise come from behind attack and claimed his third PBR World Championship. The legendary bull rider from Brazil has accomplished more in the history of the PBR than any other single man. With the early lead in the event, Moraes could make up some much needed ground on the eight men who stand between him and the World Championship title.

The only rookie cowboy remaining in the top of the standings, Clayton Williams (Carthage, Texas) tied with Brazilian Valdiron de Oliveira (Aparecida de Goiania, GO) for second and third place in the round. Williams has essentially cinched the Daisy Rookie of the Year award for the 2007 season with his impressive first season in the PBR. He continued that rein tonight when he covered Flying U/Moreno Bucking Bulls' Werewolf Snuff for 86.25 points. Oliveira matched that score when he covered Red Knection K Bulls' Kill Bill.  Both cowboys added $1,560 in PBR bucks to their pocketbooks.

2005 PBR World Champion and current Built Ford Tough Series Points Leader Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) continued his dominance in the sport this evening when he covered Poison Oak owned by Corey & Horst Rodeo Co. Inc. for 83.25 points. The number two man in the world, young gun J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.) bettered McBride by only half a point when he made the eight second whistle aboard Tino Martinez's Coffee Bean. Mauney is determined to keep pace with McBride and seize any opportunity to shoot past him in the race for this year's PBR World Championship. Following a strong finish at last weekend's event, third place man, Guilherme Marchi (Leme, Sao Paulo, Brazil) was bucked off of Cowboy Cool owned by Corey & Horst Rodeo Co. Inc.

The Ironman J.W. Hart (Overbrook, Okla.) continues to struggle in 2007.  He drew Boyd/Floyd/Paradise Farms' Hillstreet and hit the dirt less than five seconds into the ride. He'll have another opportunity to continue his pursuit for a spot in the top 45 standings and qualify for the PBR World Finals on Saturday night in the second round of the Express PBR Classic.

As the PBR's 2007 Built Ford Tough World Finals presented by Wrangler edges nearer, each of the top cowboys are vying for a spot to be among the top 45. The Mandalay Bay Events Center and the Thomas & Mack Center will welcome the best of the best October 26-28 and November 1-4, when one man will become the 2007 PBR World Champion. The last man standing will also claim the cool $1 million bonus that accompanies the title.

The Express PBR Classic will wrap up Saturday night at 6:50 p.m. Watch the second and Championship Rounds on VERSUS on Sunday, October 7. Check your local listings for the time and additional details.

 Injury Report:

Harve Stewart (Stephenville, Texas) injured his right leg when he was stepped on in the first round of competition. X-rays are scheduled for next week. Stewart is doubtful for Saturday's competition.

Express PBR Classic Results:

FIRST ROUND: 1) Adriano Moraes (Cachoeira Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 87.25 points on Tino Martinez's Border Patrol, $2,730; 2/3) Clayton Williams (Carthage, Texas) 86.25 points on Flying U/Moreno Bucking Bulls' Werewolf Snuff, $1,560; 2/3) Valdiron de Oliveira (Aparecida de Goiania, GO, Brazil) 86.25 points on Red Knection K Bulls' Kill Bill, $1,560; 4) Robson Palermo (Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil) 86 points on Corey & Horst Rodeo Co. Inc.'s Re-Vamp, $780; 5) Dustin Elliott (North Platte, Neb.) Red Knection K Bulls' Nasty Town, $468.

About PBR:
More than 100 million viewers tune in each year to the PBR on FOX, NBC, VERSUS and on a host of foreign networks across the globe. With approximately 500 hours of prime time programming annually PBR ranks among the most prolific sports on air, in addition to attracting over one and one half million live event attendees each year with its multi-tiered event structure which includes the marquee Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler, the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Challenger Tour, the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Tour, and the Discovery Tour, designed specifically for entry level contestants. The PBR's governing board of directors is comprised of renowned bull riders who have developed the event into a stand alone sport which is experiencing unprecedented growth in global popularity. The PBR is headquartered in Pueblo, Colo., and has over 1,200 PBR bull riders compete in more than 300 PBR sanctioned competitions in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico.

For more information about the Express PBR Classic or the PBR, please visit http://www.pbrnow.com/ or call the PBR World Headquarters at 719 242 2800.