It's a race in the chase for the PBR World Champion title

By Mary Rudloff
Posted Sunday, November 4, 2007

LAS VEGAS – Thursday night at Thomas and Mack Arena was the second showing of the "rank pen" of bulls at the PBR World Finals.

Evidently no one told the bulls that came out bucking Saturday night that it wasn’t them. Saturday’s round six of the 2007 PBR World Finals definitely had the advantage going to the bulls, as the first three sections of bulls showed only three qualified scores on the board that were worth keeping.

In fact, before it came down to the top nine riders, only four scores went into the record books, out of 36 rides.

Then the top riders came along and set those bulls straight. Seven of the top ten – Kody Lostroh, Brian Canter, Robson Palermo, Sean Willingham, average leader Wiley Petersen, Guilherme Marchi and World Title leader Justin McBride – all added to their totals with qualified rides.

McBride ended the night the way he began it, flying high above the other riders to cheers of the fans. He posted the only 90-plus pointer of the night, winning another round with a 91.50 point ride on Bad Action (Chad Berger/Larry Ryken).

The ride – his third consecutive 90-plus, including two round winners – appears to have silenced the talk that began last weekend when McBride had gone 0-for-3 in the first weekend of the PBR Finals.

McBride started the night flying around the rafters of the Thomas and Mack, literally, as part of a high-flying opening that included four moto-cross stunt riders and several of the PBR’s favorite riders entering on horseback. One thing that can never be said is that the PBR is ever subtle with their openings. McBride was hoisted on guide wires, from the back of a horse, to soar around the arena above the packed-house crowd before a slightly bumpy but still impressive landing.

The sixth round, however, did not carry the momentum of the opening over to the rides. It was 14 bulls into the round before McKennon Wimberly put a score on the board that would be a keeper. Wimberly got his second qualified ride of the Finals, with an 85 pointer on Lucky Strike (Bailey Rodeo Co.). Earlier in the round Ned Cross had scored a 77 on Rocket (Corey & Horst/Western Group), accepted the reride option, and failed to cover Jackhammer.

LJ Jenkins, winner of last year’s World Finals average, got his third qualified ride with an 86 on Sand Trap (Beutler & Son Rodeo Co), and then managed to walk away from a shot from the bull after getting off. Tater Porter also continued his hot streak, adding his third score to his total with an 87 on Total Darkness (4C’s Bucking Bulls).

Brendon Clark is also maintaining his successful run, with his 87 on Windtwister (Page & Teague). Clark now stands in fourth place in the average race. Kody Lostroh, who held onto the average lead through the weekend at Mandalay Bay has dropped back to third, behind Petersen and Marchi, but has guaranteed a trip to Sunday’s short-go as he put his fourth score up, covering Live Wire (Chad Berger/Larry Ryken). Lostroh started the charge of qualified rides near the end of the night, followed by Brian Canter, Robson Palermo, and Sean Willingham, each of whom made their third ride of the finals. They were 88.25 for Canter on Strong Heart; 86.25 for Palermo on Brother Jake (Herbert/Fournier); and Werewolf Snuff (Flying U/Moreno) for 86 points for Willingham.

Marchi attempted to close the gap between himself and McBride, riding Scentloc (Davis/Wilson/Mayo/Hooker) for 84.25 points. Marchi now sits second in the Finals event standings but it’s clear that what he is after is a World Champion title. Marchi has finished second, as the Reserve World Champion, to McBride in 2005 and Adriano Moraes last year.

Catching McBride is still possible for Marchi, as he sits 2,766.75 points behind McBride with 3,500 points still up for grab on Sunday. To make the dream a reality, however, Marchi would have to have a pair of high-scoring rides and McBride would definitely have to stumble.

Ahead of Marchi, but still trailing McBride is JB Mauney. Mauney bucked off Rez Boy (Corey & Horst) late in his ride and then provided a scary moment when the Rez Boy stomped on him after he hit the ground.

Mauney left the arena bent over and not moving his right arm, but late reports said it was a badly bruised armpit, and that Mauney would be riding on Sunday. Mauney currently trails McBride in the points race by 2,450 points.

The 2007 PBR World Finals will conclude early Sunday with Round 7 and the championship round. Petersen is expected to battle to hold onto his event average lead – and the big paycheck that will come with it – and fend of Marchi and Lostroh.

The big battle, however, which is expected to come down to the last ride, is the battle for the 2007 World Champion title between McBride, Marchi and Mauney.

Key match-ups for Sunday’s round 7 include:

Justin McBride vs. Black Smoke;

Guilherme Marchi vs. Stetson’s Rock Star;

JB Mauney vs. Hill Street;

And in the event average race:

Wiley Petersen vs. Booger Butt;

Brendon Clark vs. Bonafide;

Kody Lostroh vs. Wild Life;

And one of the big surprises of the Finals, longshot Billly Robinson, of Galax, Va., aboard Fear Factor. Robinson bucked off on Saturday, but already has four qualified rides in the books and is standing in fourth place in the race for the event average.