LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Bad Boy Mowdown is an opportunity for any bull rider to make a massive jump in the world standings, regardless of ranking.
However, there is a glaring gap to be replaced when it comes to two-time and reigning World Champion Jess Lockwood being out for six months because of a torn left hamstring, and current world leader Jose Vitor Leme taking things week to week with three broken ribs.
Leme and Lockwood had combined for 15 of the 34 round wins and half of the event wins (4) this season through eight events heading into the competition this weekend at Simmons Bank Arena.
The first rider to strike at the opportunity may just be world No. 8 Colten Jesse.
Jesse built off his 15/15 Bucking Battle victory from last weekend in Kansas City, Missouri, to finish Round 1 Friday night in second place with 87.25 points aboard Experiment 626.
“I hate that them guys are out, but you’re right, somebody has to step up,” Jesse said. “I wish they were here because I feel like when they’re here they make me ride better. But if somebody’s got to step up, in my opinion, it might as well be me.”
Jesse made good work of Experiment 626 to pick up 10 points toward the world standings. The No. 8-ranked bull rider in the world trails Leme by 392.5 points.
“That bull was a good bull of Ricky West’s,” Jesse said. “I didn’t know that bull, but in these Classic Rounds nobody really knows them. But Ricky’s always got good bulls, and, heck, I was excited about it. I didn’t ask him what he was going to do or anything. Just kind of fell out of there, and just kind of had him for a dance, and it was fun. He’s a good bull. The get-off wasn’t that great. I was joking with my buddies. It’s always a joke. ‘Good ride! Horrible get-off.’ I’ll get off better tomorrow.”
Jesse will actually be the pseudo-event leader heading into Round 2 seeing as world No. 3 and Round 1 winner Joao Ricardo Vieira is not competing in Little Rock on Saturday night.
Instead, Vieira is one of five Unleash The Beast riders that are headed to The American to pursue their chance at $1 million. Also leaving to ride in Arlington, Texas, are Claudio Montanha Jr., who finished Round 1 tied for fourth place (85.25 points on Hellboy), Cole Melancon, Derek Kolbaba and Brennon Eldred.
World No. 4 Daylon Swearingen is also skipping the final night of Little Rock to ride at The American, but he is only eligible for $100,000 seeing as he qualified for the event at AT&T Stadium through the PRCA standings.
Therefore, Jesse is the only Top-10 rider with a qualified ride on the board in Round 1 slated to compete in Round 2.
Fans can watch the conclusion of the Bad Boy Mowdown Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network and Saturday at 7:45 p.m. ET on RidePass.
Jesse has drawn Just Another Gangster (1-0, UTB) for Round 2.
After falling into 1-for-10 slump, Jesse has bounced back by riding three of his past six, including last weekend’s season-high 89.5 points on Lil 2 Train.
“I’m not sure, really, what the slump was about,” Jesse said. “But it was just one of them things. I feel like everybody’s gone through it at some point in time or another. That’s a fact, I feel like, and it’s just something you’ve got to push through. And last week was definitely huge, just getting out of there with that 15/15 win gave me a lot of momentum. It just kind of reminded me who I was, and I kind of kicked myself in my own ass and got back in gear.
“I felt good this week, working out and getting ready, and I just feel more focused now than ever. I just feel like that’s how it’s going to keep on going. I just feel more focused from here on out.”
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko