LAS VEGAS – This is a pivotal round for this event, because a qualified ride here can make a huge difference. This pen of bulls is the strongest the PBR has to offer. All of the World Champion Bull Race qualifiers are here, and they are not easy to ride. It’s an important round, because for the past decade every single PBR World Finals average winner has posted a score in Round 2.

Cody Teel on 32Y SweetPro’s Bruiser:

Bruiser has thrown Teel off on three previous occasions – but not recently. Their last meeting was in March of 2018. Despite his lack of success, you can be sure that Teel is pretty happy to have another shot at him here. Bruiser is so respected among the riders that it is something of an honor to have him. He’s also a good draw in this rank pen of bulls because he’s more rideable than most of the others. He’s still in the running for World Champion Bull, but we haven’t seen much of him in the second half of the season, and he’s the biggest question mark among the serious contenders.

Jess Lockwood on 35 Spotted Demon:

Lockwood is riding at a near perfect level. He’s not making any mistakes, and he’s not giving any bull much of a chance to get leverage on him. He will need that here. Spotted Demon is a veteran bull who typically exploits any fundamental mistakes by a rider, and he does it by keeping the pressure on jump after jump. Lockwood has had him twice before with no success. This may not be the best matchup for Lockwood in this round, but the way Jess is riding right now, he can beat this bull.

Alan de Souza on 322 First Blood:

Keyshawn Whitehorse rode this bull in Springfield in September. The way Souza has been riding since he’s been here, you have to assume he’s capable of riding every bull that is remotely rideable. If he can get this one knocked out, he remains a threat to win the whole event.

Lucas Divino on 362A Heartbreak Kid:

In the World Champion bull race, Heartbreak Kid may stand the best chance of beating Smooth Operator, although doing so will not be easy. Smooth Operator is one of the most consistent performers in the business, and he already has a lead. Heartbreak Kid is capable of big scores, and he will need two big scores here to make up ground.

Jose Vitor Leme on 08C Danny Boy:

This bull is unridden as far as we know. He spent most of his time this season on the rodeo circuit. He’s only faced a few top-level riders, and none of those guys are really on Leme’s level, not to speak of the level to which Leme ascends here in Vegas.

Ramon de Lima on B87 Wicked Hou:

Lima rode this bull at a Touring Pro event two years ago. Wicked Hou is one of the better draws in the round, especially for a left-handed rider. He’s given up three rides in nine attempts this season at the UTB level. Lima may be able to get on the board here after a buckoff last night.

Eduardo Aparecido on 34 Soup in a Group:

This is a great draw for the winner of Round 1, and Aparecido could at least maintain the lead in this event with two qualified rides. Soup in a Group usually goes to the right, and he’s more rideable than many bulls in the round. The trick with him is that his first couple of jumps are really difficult. He tends to take a long first jump followed by a hard corner to the right. If Aparecido can survive that, he should be alright on this bull.

Ryan Dirteater on 08B Hostage:

Coming back off an August injury, Dirteater looked fresh and ready to go. He won the Finals in 2016, so he’s certainly capable of going the distance in Vegas. Hostage is a great draw for him. The top three riders in the world – Leme, Lockwood and Chase Outlaw – all have rides of around 90 points on this bull down the stretch.