LAS VEGAS – Even though he won Tuesday’s sixth round, Clayton Biglow liked Wednesday’s ride better at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

“That was probably the best I’ve felt all week,” said Biglow, who rode Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Scarlet Fever for 85.5 points to finish in a tie for second place with reigning world champion Tim O’Connell. “I did a little work on my rigging right before the rodeo.

“I picker her up a little bit, and it felt a whole lot better.”

Picking up a horse in bareback riding means he got a strong hold with his spurs during the ride. In an event where cowboys are marked on their spur rides, being aggressive can pay off. By utilizing the spurs, the best cowboys can help make a horse buck a little better.

Of course, having the equipment set accordingly helps a lot, too.

“You can only ride as good as your equipment,” he said. “It means everything.”

Biglow failed to catch a paycheck in the opening five go-rounds of this year’s championship. He didn’t let it bother him; instead, he found a way to finish among the top six two nights in a row. Through seven nights in Sin City, he has earned $51,673 – all but $10,000 of which has come in the last two rounds.

Scarlet Fever did her job, as well. In addition to guiding Biglow to a big payday Wednesday, the powerful bay horse guided Tanner Aus to the second-round victory last Friday.

“That horse is a little more testy than the one I got on (Tuesday), so it was good to get by that one,” he said. “I feel like I made a good spur ride, and I’m damn sure ready for the eliminator pen tomorrow.”

The eliminator pen is featured two nights during the 10-day championship, and Round 8 will showcase the hardest-to-ride bucking horses in the game. Biglow will be matched with Beutler & Son Rodeo’s South Suds on Thursday night.

“I feel great, and they can run whatever they want underneath me,” he said. “There is a lot of money left to be won. I’m ready to rock ’n’ roll these next three rounds.”

Spoken like a man on a mission.