Beginner finally gets some luck

By Courtesy of PBR
Posted Monday, September 28, 2009

ONTARIO, Calif. (September 27, 2009) - First-year rider Elliott Jacoby got what he desperately needed Saturday night.

He made just the second qualified ride of his BFTS career – an 88.75-point effort in the first out of the Dickies Invitational.

It was enough for him to win the opening round in Ontario, Calif., but with Kody Lostroh and Guilherme Marchi both starting off the 28th Built Ford Tough Series event of 2009 with qualified rides of their own, Jacoby became a secondary storyline.

Marchi moved 156.5 points closer to No. 2 J.B. Mauney, while Lostroh extended his lead by another 130.5 points.

Lostroh capped off the round with an 85.5 on Shaggy, which was good for a tie with Mike Lee for 6th and 7th in the round. His qualified score coupled with 45 bonus points gave the Colorado cowboy a total of 130.5 points.

“This is what you want to see him do,” said Michael Gaffney, during the Versus broadcast of Round 1.

Although Lostroh’s injury was the most talked about storyline, he had little issue with either his shoulder or his elbow. Lostroh later told Versus broadcaster Leah Garcia that earlier this week he went to visit Gary Leffew, who corrected a technical issue he felt was affecting the outcome of his effort.

“I got away from driving with my shoulder,” said Lostroh, who added that Leffew “saw it within five minutes and corrected it. … The proof is in the pudding.”

Marchi finished fourth among 15 qualified rides with an 86.5 on Hank.

The defending World Champion is coming off just his second BFTS event win of 2009 and said that his “confidence is back.”

With one long round left, Lostroh and Marchi are in a solid position to make it back to the championship round, while Mauney, who drew Oloomana Ivory in Round 2, will not only need to make the whistle, but he’ll need a score in the mid-to-high 80s to give himself a chance to make it back on one.

Lostroh and Marchi drew Devil’s Night and Crazy Carl respectively.

At the other end of the spectrum, the round win couldn’t have come at a better time for Jacoby.

The Texas native has had a tough go of it since making his way to the BFTS. He’s now made just two rides in eight events. However, more importantly, the $2,730 he earned for the round will move him from the 47th to the 45th spot in the Qualifier Standings for the Finals. But he’s still more than $6,500 shy of qualifying for a trip to Vegas.

Rounding out the Top 5 are Dustin Elliott (88.5), Kasey Hayes (87), Marchi and Rocky McDonald (86).

The event will conclude Sunday afternoon with Round 2 followed by the championship round at 2 p.m. PT, and will air on Versus beginning at 7 p.m. ET.

NEWS and NOTES

Junior say-ouch: Known as one of the most fierce linebackers in the NFL, the recently retired Junior Seau was at the event working as one of the Dickies Durabullfighters. About two-thirds of the way through the opening round, the 12-time Pro Bowler got hit from behind and run over. Afterward he asked Shorty Gorham what happened. Gorham replied, “Well, your feet locked up.” Seau was in Ontario filming an episode of his new TV series “Sports Jobs with Junior Seau.” The PBR episode is expected to air Dec. 2 on Versus.

Road to Vegas: All roads are leading to Las Vegas! The Built Ford Tough Series is in Ontario this weekend, but at this time of the season the PBR is all about the World Finals, Oct. 30 through Nov. 8. Call 866-PBR-SHOW for ticket information or log onto www.unlvtickets.com to order your tickets for what will be one of the tightest finishes for the world title.

PBR NOW: The PBR proudly announces another way to get your adrenaline fix – a weekly television show devoted exclusively to the Toughest Sport on Earth. RFD-TV – carried on all major cable providers – presents PBR NOW, a regular half-hour studio show hosted by Justin McKee, J.W. Hart and Justin McBride, airing Thursdays at noon and 10 p.m. Eastern.

Worldwide leader in sports: After reading all the content – Web features, blogs and Podcasts – at www.pbrnow.com, fans can get even more coverage from ESPN by logging onto www.espnbullriding.com.

Tweet, tweet: Be sure to follow the PBR on Twitter at www.twitter.com/teampbr.