Running at the top of the order in the seventh round, Walker set a pace for the rest of the field to chase, but no one would outrun her 13.72-second pattern. Before she headed to the South Point Casino to accept the fourth gold buckle of her inaugural Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Walker graciously paused to visit about her and Latte’s sensational run under the bright lights of the Thomas and Mack. 
“I’m looking at every one of you with these microphones in my face and I’m like, I want to cry, but then again, I want to just scream and say, ‘My gosh, I cannot believe this!’ Latte was really calm tonight, which is really unusual. I think he had his game face on. I would say that he really loves this arena. I think the crowd makes him excel. He loves them to scream and holler, and that makes him fire harder. I think he loves the noise and the roar, and I think that just makes him want to show himself off a little bit.”
Carlee Pierce and Rare Dillion (“Dillion”) stopped the clock in 13.81 seconds to finish second, despite running in the wake of the 14 that ran before her on the ground. Lisa Lockhart saved her second barrel to finish third with a 13.84 on An Oakie With Cash (“Louie”). Kaley Bass held her position at the top of the average with a 13.87-second run to finish fourth in the round on Wonders Cowboy Dan (“Cowboy”). Trula Churchill and A Streak Of Rita (“Worm”) clocked a 13.89 for fifth, and Kelli Tolbert saved a teetering first barrel to finish in sixth place with a 13.91 on RF Firefly (“Cleo”).
Round seven saw some fresh horses in the arena, and Cervi opted to rest MP Meter My Hay (“Stingray”), who took a nasty fall in round 6, and called on her gelding, MP A Man With Roses (“George”). With a 13.95, they were one hole out of the money but inspired their fans with a no fear attitude that resulted in a salty run. Brittany Pozzi rode Sixth Vision (“Stitch”), the main mount of her 2007 WPRA World Champion campaign, but hit a barrel. Nikki Steffes introduced Alan Woodbury’s Tell Em Belle (“Bella”) to the Thomas and Mack, but this switch proved to be costly as she slid from second to fifth in the average when the second barrel was left lying in the arena.
Barrel Racing Results – 5th Go Round:
1. Mary Walker 13.72 $18,257.21
2. Carlee Pierce 13.81 $14,429.09
3. Lisa Lockhart 13.84 $10,895.43
4. Kaley Bass 13.87 $7,656.25
5. Trula Churchill 13.89 $4,711.54
6. Kelli Tolbert 13.91 $2,944.71
Wrangler NFR Barrel Racing Average Standings:
(Through 7th Go Round)
1. Kaley Bass, Kissimmee, Fla., 97.73/7 (no change*)
2. Brenda Mays, Terrebonne, Ore., 99.34/7 (no change)
3. Mary Walker, Ennis, Texas, 101.51/7 (+1)
4. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 102.68/7 (+1)
5. Nikki Steffes, Vale, S.D., 104.43/7 (-3)
6. Trula Churchill, Valentine, Neb., 107.85/7 (+2)
7. Benette Barrington-Little, Ardmore, Okla., 108.09/7 (-1)
8. Christy Loflin, Franktown, Colo., 110.77/7 (+1)
9. Lindsay Sears, Nanton, Alberta 112.30/7 (-2)
10. Christina Richman, Glendora, Cali., 112.60/7 (no change)
11. Kelli Tolbert, Hooper, Utah, 116.97/7 (+1)
12. Lee Ann Rust, Stephenville, Texas, 117.88/7 (+1)
13. Brittany Pozzi, Victoria, Texas, 118.16/7 (-2)
14. Carlee Pierce, Stephenville, Texas, 132.69/7 (no change)
4. Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz., 83.65/6 (no change)
*Indicates shift in average placing from previous round.
WPRA World Championship Standings:
(Through 7th Go Round)
1. Mary Walker (G) Ennis, Texas $222,406.36
2. Brittany Pozzi Victoria, Texas $191,279.51
3. Carlee Pierce Stephenville, Texas $171,635.53
4. Lindsay Sears Nanton, Alberta $167,387.35
5. Sherry Cervi Marana, Arizona $130,263.05
6. Kaley Bass Kissimmee, Florida $124,562.97
7. Lisa Lockhart Oelrichs, South Dakota $109,957.30
8. Kelli Tolbert Hooper, Utah $98,428.72
9. Benette Barrington-Little Ardmore, Oklahoma $92,638.43
10. Nikki Steffes Vale, South Dakota $89,666.27
11. Brenda Mays Terrebonne, Oregon $84,743.68
12. Lee Ann Rust Stephenville, Texas $78,519.30
13. Trula Churchill Valentine, Nebraska $79,917.92
14. Christina Richman Glendora, California $60,872.07
15. Christy Loflin Franktown, Colorado $59,563.10
