Professional Bull Riders

CHICAGO ― Even with so many qualified rides last night, at a two-day event the guys who came down on their first bull aren’t out of it. Anyone here can step up with a big ride and punch their ticket to the short round.

Brant Atwood on U2 Prince Albert:

This is the bull Ben Jones had last night, and he’s such a good bull that he appears in the Morning Line every time he appears in the draw. Prince Albert has been ridden more often by left-handed riders, and he got the best of Jones last night, but the right-handed Atwood has had him twice and turned in scores on him both times.

Joao Ricardo Vieira on 83 Santiago:

Santiago has been around long enough to log 41 career outs. He’s been ridden nine times and eight of those by left-handed riders. That is the record of a bull that is certain to spin to the left, and we all know what Vieira does on bulls that go into his hand. Vieira is likely to get a second score here.

J.B. Mauney puts up 89.50 points on Santiago in the championship round of the 2013 PBR BFTS Tacoma Invitational in Tacoma, Wash.

Fabiano Vieira on 694 Dark Shadow:

Joao probably won’t be the only Vieira to get two scores on the board in Chicago. Fabiano has ridden this bull before – early in the 2012 season. Dark Shadow is a good draw in any round. He’s a spinner with great timing. He’s fast, but is ridden more often than not when he faces the best riders.

Jordan Hupp on 932 Harlem Shake:

This is the bull that J.B. Mauney did not get out of the chute on in Round 5 of the 2013 Built Ford Tough World Finals. He was awarded a re-ride and went on to score 91 points on Ford Hammer Down and win the round. This bull would have been tougher for him to get by. Harlem Shake likes to go to the right and he can have world class speed and intensity. He can be as rank as any bull here, but he doesn’t have a lot of experience with only 11 career outs. He’s been ridden twice – for big scores – and both times by right-handed riders. But here’s the catch… he hasn’t really faced any top tier, right-handed guys. Hupp will be the best right-handed rider he has faced.

J.B. Mauney on 9-38 Mud Man:

Like the bull that Mauney had last night, this one doesn’t have much experience, but has been ridden. He hasn’t been ridden by a left handed-rider yet, and he got the best of Cody Nance and Mike Lee in the latter part of last season. At this point Mauney looks invincible, but every time the chute opens he’s got to work just as hard. This bull may be new, but he doesn’t know he’s the underdog here.

Stormy Wing on Jared Allen’s H4WW Hy Test:

This bull put Lachlan Richardson on the ground Saturday night, but Richardson is only the second rider he’s been able to shake in six career outs. He faced two lefties last season, and was ridden by both. Wing got a score in Round 1, and he’s likely to get another one here.

Renato Nunes rides Jared Allen's H4WW Hy Test for 87.5 points in Round 1 of the 2013 PBR Jack Daniel's Invitational in Nashville, Tenn.

Silvano Alves on 847 Western Hauler:

Western Hauler is a well-proven bull. He’s been around long enough to have faced the top riders numerous times, and he’s proven himself to be a real test for any rider. He does spin, but spinning is not his main weapon. He’s fast, but he uses his speed in his up-and-down motion rather than trying to make as many rounds as possible. He’s like a bovine jackhammer. Tyrell Pozzobon rode him at the 2013 Built Ford Tough World Finals and Western Hauler was in the middle of his 13^th jump when the 8 seconds was up. In comparison, Bushwacker will typically make 8 to 10 jumps before the whistle blows. Alves is more than capable of riding him, but it won’t be easy.

Chase Outlaw on G243 Pretty Boy Floyd:

Outlaw is your event leader at the Chicago Invitational and has an excellent chance to hang onto that lead with this draw. Floyd was ridden last week by Robson Palermo, and he’s been ridden 2 out of 3 times when facing left-handed riders.

Matt Triplett on 708 Delco:

Like Prince Albert, Delco ends up in the Morning Line a lot because he’s always one of the best bulls in the round and is one of the more rider friendly bulls. He is ridden more often by lefties, but he’s an honest bull that every rider here wants to draw. Triplett is the lucky man who drew him. If he can convert, he’ll be another guy with two scores.

Mike Lee on 503 Imagine That:

This bull has 11 career outs, and has only been ridden once – in Hollywood, Fla. – by Austin Meier last October. He hasn’t really faced many top-level riders. Lee has a shot here.

Click HERE for the rest of the Round 2 matchups.

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