Consistency has High River’s Jason Glass in the driver’s seat at the Calgary Stampede.
On the strength of three top-three finishes and a first-place performance on day three, the chuckwagon driver leads the pack at the 2024 Calgary Stampede Cowboys Rangeland Derby.
Glass, the 2013 champion, posted a time of 1:10.78 on Sunday to add to his lead in the aggregate on the heels of a second place performance the night prior. The fan-favourite has a three-quarters of a second lead on Rae Croteau Jr. with Chad Fike in third, Chans Vigen fourth and Jamie Laboucane fifth.
Foothills County’s Dayton Sutherland has enjoyed a strong debut as a driver at the event, sitting 16th in the aggregate through three days with Blackie’s Jordie Fike in 18th place.
The racing continues nightly, with heats starting at 7:45 p.m. at GMC Stadium, until July 13. Following Saturday’s performances, the top-three in the aggregate advance to championship heat to close out the Derby on July 14.
In the rodeo arena, the dust has settled on the A-draw with a Foothills cowboy earning his spot in Showdown Sunday.
Millarville saddle bronc rider Layton Green tied for third in Pool A, earning $9,666.67 through three performances to book his ticket to the final.
When Pool B opens on Monday, a couple more from the region will be looking to repeat the feat. Okotoks bull rider Jordan Hansen and High River bronc rider Lucas Macza kick off the first of three days of Pool B on July 8.
Okotoks steer wrestler Harley Cole will be among the Pool C bulldoggers, with the last of the three draws taking place July 11-13.
The top-four performers in each Pool earn a spot in Showdown Sunday.
For more information on the rodeo and chuckwagon races, go to calgarystampede.com.