Saturday night was sure to be a barn burner as the stage was set with just two rounds left. The race for the million dollar bonus would be decided in the next eight second ride. The 17,000 plus that showed up early to get in their seats were eager to be the best fans they could be. They were not only going to see world champions finish their career in Las Vegas but possibly see one crowned tonight.
The action started with Matt Bohon of Cole Camp Mo. putting up a 64.5 and having the option of a reride. He would take that and we'd see that later in the round. Shane Proctor would continue his PBR world finals appearance with a sweet 87.50 ride with Mataska of Frontier/Teague Bucking Bulls.
Fan favorite Cord McCoy was drafted Splatter of Don & Janelle Kish and the Tupelo Oklahoma cowboy would go to the leader board after 18 bullriders at 88.25. It didn't last long as the smallest kid here, Brian Canter, put an 89.75 on the Zorro (Lufkin Ranch) and tried to at least get out of Vegas with some go round money. This was Brian's second ride of the six rounds and would finish the night with his best showing, of splitting 5th and 6th respectively.
The retirees, Justin and Adriano, would get the fans going as Adriano Moraes held on for an 88 point ride aboard Husker's Terror of Chad Berger/Jim Quintaine. Justin McBride would show his championship form on Saturday night as he rang up his highest marked ride of the week with a 91.75. Of course, he picked Scene of the Crash of Frontier/Teague/Ron White and try to extend his PBR-leading 5 million dollar career earnings record. His ride tonight, if it held up, would be good for $25,000 and give him some spending money for the next bull he may raise on the ranch.
It didn't seem like the guys would ride 16 bulls tonight but we did see 4 in the 90 point category. One of those belonged to the rookie sensation Reese Cates and he would do his 90 point ride aboard Team Equine Evil Forces of Berger/Struve. This little Texan is slowing becoming a name that might replace an Adriano or a Justin in years to come. We have seen these Daisy Rookies of the Year go on and do great things.
Former rookie of the year Zack Brown, who retired back in 2005 and came back out to extend his career, rode High Lonesome of Diamond S for 89 points and find himself in the pack of the final 15 for the short round on Sunday. Ednei Caminhas, who originally was going to hang the chaps and spurs up this year, has decided that it's not time just yet as he made the whistle and finish with an 88.25 on Party Time.
Wiley Peterson's 88.50 on Raisin McCain would put him in contention for being in the short round on Sunday and we all remember last year when he won the world finals.
Let's roll the calendar back to 2003 when Chris Shivers was dominating the PBR. The 2000 and 2003 PBR world champ really looked like he would be the first 3 time champ of the world but things change. However, Chris looks as though he has rolled the calendar back his self, because he is really starting to regain a form that is fun to watch. His 91 on Devil's Night of 4c's/Marvin Nixon really looked like the Chris Shivers of yesteryear.
Robson Palermo wasn’t about to let all the Americans have the fun tonight, as he rode Hot Stuff for 90.50 of Diamond S and cashed a $12,000 check tonight.
As we turned to the top 5 tonight the pressure was mounting in the building as the arena announcers spoke of the things that needed to happen for the world championship race to continue after tonight. J.B and Guilherme would be the spotlight in the top 5.
It seems that we forgot about Kody Lostroh and Mike Lee and Kody would get his 86.50 (Claim Jumper) to finish 16th for the night and Mike would ride for 6.6 on Tommy Lasorda and Teague Bucking Bulls' Deja Blu.
Valdiron de Oliviera would ride Sports Machine for 89.75 and split the round with Brian Canter but tonight would come down to 16 seconds - the eight that J.B. Mauney would not make and the eight that Guilherme would have to if he wanted it to end tonight.
One Million Dollars, the bonus that goes along with becoming the PBR world champion, would see the Built Ford Tough executives signing the right hand corner of that check tonight. J.B. Mauney chose Red Light in his draft this morning and hit the dirt with the clock showing 2.1. This moment froze in time as the flags of the Brazilian contingent seemed to be feeling the reality of watching Marchi, this bridesmaid bullrider of the PBR, become their newest sensation.
If Guilherme rode his bull Rewind just a mere eight seconds, we would crown the champ tonight in front of a sold out venue. He made sure tonight that the celebration was going to happen. As the Preifert chutes opened, Guilherme had his chin tucked and there wasn't anything that was going to buck him off, not even Rewind. As the buzzer sounded the Thomas and Mack cheered but the Brazilians raced onto the arena floor to congratulate their newest millionaire champ. The 87.50 that came in wasn't even a factor and the buckle that has eluded Marchi for the last 3 years since coming to America, was his to polish and keep.
Keep in mind that with J.B. coming down early, the race for the world finals title belongs to Marchi as well so far, so he could still leave Las Vegas with the finals buckle too. That pays $250,000 and he's won $361,473 for the year. Add the $250,000 and the million to that and this would end the year at over $1.6 million. The toughest sport on dirt is by far the richest too. As a former bullrider that would have never dreamed of riding for this much money, it's hard to fathom.
As the night drew to close, the Brazilians were left in the arena with Guilherme and his family and the PBR fans were gracious as they hung around and waited for the newest world champ to sign a few autographs. As the PBR hustled him down to the press room, it was still Justin McBride's night to win the round and what better way to end a Saturday night in Vegas than with two world champs, one new and one that will be in the record books of the PBR for years to come.
We will certainly miss Justin and Adriano but I believe that the new faces of the PBR will certainly not disappoint.
The draft for Sunday's round will take place at the PBR after party tonight at the Sahara Hotel and Casino and we'll see what the boys picked for tomorrow. We were told by Cody Lambert and the PBR staff that the best 60 bulls of the PBR will showcase their talents tomorrow on the arena floor. The long go of 45 cowboys and then the best of the best for the short go round.
I end the night with a look at the average race, $250,000 and the buckle to go along that says World Finals winner.
1st Guilherme Marchi (536.25), 2nd J.B. Mauney (456.75), 3rd Chris Shivers (451.25),
4th Reese Cates (448.50) 5th Robson Palermo (445.50), 6th Renato Nunes (367.50)
7th Justin McBride (359.50), 8th Valdiron de Oliviera (358.75), 9th Zack Brown (356.00)
10th Aaron Roy (353.00), 11th Wiley Peterson (350.50), 12th Shane Proctor (337.75)
13th Brendon Clark (269.75), 14th Kasey Hayes (268.50) 15th Ross Coleman (268.50)
The men that could make a move tomorrow afternoon:
Mike White (268.00), Kody Lostroh (266.25), Colby Yates (266.25), Adriano Moraes (265),
Austin Meier (265) Matt Bohon (263) and Mike Lee (259.25).
Remember that tomorrow's round will be on NBC so check your local listings. I hope you join Rodeo Attitude for the final round of coverage and we'll see you on Sunday, after it's all said and done.
Take care and God bless
My Best
J.W. Kinder
PRCA Rodeo Announcer & Western Regional Director
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