Look for a pretty strong pen of bulls overall here. The championship round is pretty loaded, with 2021 YETI World Champion Bull Woopaa and Chiseled both on the roster. The way the championship-round bulls played out heavily favors a lefty winning the event though. The best case scenario for a right-handed rider to win Glendale is Kaique Pacheco getting to the championship round in a high position where he can draft Chiseled.
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Derek Kolbaba on 522 Vertigo Spy:
This is one of the most rideable bulls in the round, but he goes away from Kolbaba’s hand, which will add some difficulty. Vertigo Spy has been around since 2019, and he has a 50% buckoff percentage overall – 40% at the UTB level. He’s a very nice draw at this level. Kolbaba is definitely capable of winning this matchup.
Jose Vitor Leme on 710 Yadi:
Although Yadi isn’t the most rideable bull here, this is a great matchup for Leme. Yadi goes to the left, and he kind of keeps the pressure on riders by never letting up. He can be fast, and his first few jumps can be surprisingly strong. He does have really solid timing, and Leme usually wins against this kind of bull into his hand.
Kaique Pacheco on 712E Steel Wishes:
Pacheco is definitely on a winning streak right now, and he has the best odds of a qualified ride in this round. Steel Wishes has been ridden in three of his last four outs, most recently by Eli Vastbinder in Duluth, Georgia, for 88 points.
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Cody Jesus on 08B Hostage:
This is one of the toughest bulls in the round. He hasn’t been ridden since the 2020 World Finals in Arlington, Texas. He was 14-0 last year and is 2-0 so far this year. However, he likes to the left, and Jesus has been known to knock off high profile bulls that go into his hand. This is an interesting matchup because of that.
Joao Henrique Lucas on E13 Hurts So Good:
This bull has been pretty weak when he’s faced the high-level riders. He’s 3-7 against them, and 1-8 against lefties. He is 5-0 against right-handed riders, though, but that is bound to change sooner or later. He has too much timing and is very predictable. This is one of the better draws in this round.
Cody Teel on 628 Bubba G:
Bubba G has been ridden in five of his last seven outs for big scores. He’s carried riders to three round wins in seven career qualified rides, which is a pretty good percentage. Teel is not exactly on a roll right now, but he should get along with this bull, even going away from his hand.
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Daylon Swearingen on 29 Off Campus:
This bull has been ridden four times in nine outs since last fall, which makes him a relatively rideable bull at this level. He’s faced a lot of good riders though, and he has been pretty strong against left-handed guys. Swearingen will probably have to get it done going away from his hand here, which hasn’t been his strong suit.