SAN ANTONIO (July 31, 2010) - Compared to the bulls at most PBR events, the pen here in San Antonio is comprised of hardened veterans. Most of the bulls here, if they haven’t been regulars on tour, have plenty of PBR Touring Pro Division experience in a part of the country where they regularly meet with top riders.
In Round 1, there are only a couple of bulls we don’t have a lot of history on, and world leader Renato Nunes has drawn one of them. There are a number of good matchups that should result in good scores, and scores will be close at the top.
Round 1McKennon Wimberly on 518 Space Chimp:
Space Chimp has been a money bull lately, and Wimberly rode him in Pueblo, Colo., for 88 points. However, after that ride, Wimberly went three for his next 20 bulls before winning big in Livingston, Mont., just a few days ago. This is a prime opportunity for him keep going in the right direction.
Paulo Lima on 655 Segs The Juice:
This is a really good bull who is very rideable for left-handed riders, and Lima should be up to the task here.
Kasey Hayes on 465 Outta Da Blue:
This bull has to be in the running for the high-money bull of the year – the award given to the bull that riders win the most money on. He always delivers a good score, and is ridden more than 85 percent of the time by the riders of Hayes’ class.
Pistol Robinson on 421 Frosty:
Circle T’s Frosty rides on the same truck as Outta Da Blue, and is another pretty good draw. Pistol Robinson hasn’t made any headlines since his win in New Orleans, but he’s got an excellent chance to be in the money tonight.
Silvano Alves on 45 Linebacker:
This is the Built Ford Tough Series debut for Linebacker. Statistically, he’s one of the hottest bulls in the country in the past three months. He’s been around in the Touring Pro division a little, and his last few outs have been marked quite high. The only possible knock on him is that he hasn’t been to any big events, and Alves easily will be the best rider he’s ever faced. To be fair, we could say that about every bull Alves gets on, since there isn’t anyone else with a 79 percent career riding average in the PBR. If you have faith in statistics, this should be the matchup of the night.
Wiley Petersen on 42 Bird Creek:
Bird Creek always makes it into the Morning Line when he is facing a lefty, because he’s been ridden 65 percent of the time by lefties, and he’s good enough to win rounds on. However, he threw Petersen in Nampa, Idaho, and he got J.B. Mauney two weeks ago.
Guilherme Marchi on H50 Hank:
Marchi was 86.5 points on Hank in Ontario, Calif., last September. Hank has really been a better bull since then, and hasn’t been ridden very often by right-handed guys, so it won’t be easy.
Austin Meier on 381 Red Devil:
These two have met once before – in May of 2008. Meier came down then, but I would expect him to make a better showing here. Red Devil does have a buckoff percentage of over 80 percent, and has been on the Built Ford Tough series an awful lot, so he will not give up a score without a fight.
J.B. Mauney on 46 Loaded Gun:
Mauney rode him last season in Birmingham, Ala., for 86 points. This bull spends most of his time on the East Coast, and this trip might be the farthest west he’s ever traveled.
Valdiron de Oliveira on 411 Directory Assistance:
This bull has been around quite a bit outside the PBR, and has been ridden four out of 10 times by right-handed riders. Oliveria is one of the best right-handed riders in the world. I’d guess he will get a score here, and it’s likely to be a good one.
Brendon Clark on 427 Sooner Shaker:
This is one of the best draws in this round, except he’s much kinder to left-handed riders. But Clark has a chance for a big score here if he can get it done going away from his hand.
