PUEBLO, Colo. – It may be too early to determine whether or not defending YETI World Champion Bull Smooth Operator will be able to push for a record-tying third world title in 2021, but the oldest two-time champion bovine superstar will make his season debut Saturday at the PBR Pendleton Whisky Invitational.
Reigning Stock Contractor of the Year Chad Berger believes his 11-year-old legend may have another run in him in 2021, but he will take things weekly to see how Smooth Operator looks and feels heading into his eighth season on the premier series.
“I will bring him to the first one and see how he does, just as I did last year,” Berger said.
Smooth Operator is slated to buck in the championship round Saturday afternoon of Competition 1 in Arcadia, Florida. Fans can watch the conclusion of the first competition of the PBR Pendleton Whisky Invitational Sunday on CBS national television (check local listings).
Depending on how Smooth Operator looks, Berger will not rule out bucking him in the championship round Sunday afternoon during Competition 2 if PBR Director of Livestock Cody Lambert wants to use him.
“I didn’t expect him to win it again last year, and he proved me wrong,” Lambert said. “Smooth Operator has entered into legendary status. He has been winning since he was a 2-year-old. He has been winning everything since he was 2 years old.”
Lambert then lets out a slight chuckle and pauses.
“Now, at 11 years old, anything he does or doesn’t do doesn’t change the fact that he is a definite legend.”
RELATED: Smooth Operator becomes oldest back-to-back World Champion; Berger wins 10th Stock Contractor of the Year
Smooth Operator debuted last season in Chicago with an outstanding 46.75-point score when he bucked off Ezekiel Mitchell in 2 seconds. It was the first of six outs in which Smooth Operator was scored 46 points or higher in his 17 premier series outs, and Berger believed his bull had another run in him.
The then-10-year-old (Smooth Operator turned 11 earlier this month) ultimately elevated his game during the second half of last season. Five of his six 46-plus scores came between August-November.
None were bigger than his 46.25 points on Championship Sunday at the 2020 PBR World Finals when he bucked off Ryan Dirteater in 2 seconds to clinch a second consecutive world title. That out, combined with his 46 points against Dener Barbosa (3.57 seconds), helped him usurp previous No. 1 Chiseled, who entered the Finals with a 0.03-point advantage.
“If the Finals was any indication, hell, that bull may have another season in him if they can get him managed right,” two-time World Champion and CBS Sports analyst Justin McBride said. “After the Finals, he was the best bull, and bar none, he is still the best bull to beat.”
Smooth Operator concluded 2020 15-2 on the premier series with a 45.50 average bull score.
The seven-time PBR World Finals qualifier’s 46.13-point World Champion Bull average, a bull’s top eight regular-season outs and two out at the World Finals, is higher than his 46-point championship score from 2019.
Smooth Operator is the fifth back-to-back PBR World Champion Bull. He joins SweetPro’s Bruiser (2016-2018), Bushwacker (2013-2014), Little Yellow Jacket (2002-2004) and Dillinger (2000-2001). Smooth Operator becomes one of six World Champion bulls with multiple world titles. (Bones is the only other bull not mentioned above to have won two or more world titles).
Smooth Operator is 85-9 in his premier series career and 112-9 at all levels of competition.
“That bull has won two world titles just with the heart,” Berger said after Smooth Operator won his second world title. “It’s all heart. That bull has got the biggest heart to keep doing what he does. He just reminds me of an old campaigner that knew what he had to do to win. He came there, knew just what he had to do. He never got excited, never got nervous. He just come and did his job. That’s the best way to explain it. That old bull just knew what he was there for.”
One advantage for Smooth Operator in pursuit of a third world title is that a bull only needs eight outs to become eligible for the 2021 YETI World Championship before the World Finals. Therefore, Berger can pick and choose when, where and how hard to push his veteran bull.
“They could definitely get him back into the running again if they spread him out,” McBride said.
Championship Round bulls for Competition 1 in Arcadia
Smooth Operator
The Right Stuff
I’m Busted
Speed Demon
Little Hott
Young Man’s Blues
Marquis Metal Works Bill The Butcher
Zero Time
Red Clark
Canadian Mist
I’m Legit Too
CopperPoint Swagger
I’m Busted tied with Smooth Operator for the 2020 PBR Bull of the Finals event title, and he may also be making a move into world title contention this season. I’m Busted bucked Daylon Swearingen off twice at the PBR Finals for bull scores of 46 and 46.25 points.
McBride also said to keep an eye on J.W. Hart’s bull CopperPoint Swagger.
“I’m Busted bucked like hell at the Finals,” McBride said. “He is really good it looks like, and he is just getting better, better and better. He didn’t really shine at the Finals, but I am still a pretty firm believer in CopperPoint Swagger. He reminds me of Little Yellow Jacket.”
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
Photo courtesy of Josh Homer/Bull Stock Media
