Woopaa begins crucial Tulsa weekend by retaking lead in YETI World Champion Bull race
Woopaa marked 46.25 points in first of his two outs this weekend in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
TULSA, Okla. – Laramie Wilson had a simple explanation for why he is bucking reigning YETI World Champion Bull Woopaa twice this weekend at the PBR Express Ranches Classic, presented by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
“We are getting beat,” Wilson said outside the BOK Center on Friday afternoon while waiting to load his bulls into the arena. “That is what it boils down to. Ridin Solo is beating us, and I don’t want to go to Nampa or Billings. (PBR Director of Livestock) Cody (Lambert) said I had the option to put him as the first re-ride so that is what we did. They did the draw, a Classic bull drew out, so the first re-ride bull went in his spot and Austin (Richardson) got him.”
Woopaa is once again back in the lead in the 2022 YETI World Champion Bull for the time being after he and Richardson teamed up for an emphatic 94.5 points in Round 1 of the two-night event in Tulsa.
The 6-year-old, superstar bovine was marked 46.25 points, increasing his World Champion Bull average to 46.25 points.
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“It worked,” Wilson said with a sigh of relief. “Austin rode the crap out of him. We got the first round down. We needed a 46 to tie and more than 46 to take the lead. Hopefully we can do even better tomorrow.”
Woopaa now leads No. 2 Ridin Solo by a mere 0.04 points in the extremely tight World Champion Bull race with both bulls slated to buck in the championship round on Saturday night.
Woopaa can increase his World Champion Bull average in the championship round (8 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS Sports Network) with a 46-point bull score or higher. Ridin Solo also needs a 46 or higher to increase his average.
Richardson has been on both Woopaa and Ridin Solo in 2022, and he is not sure which bull deserves the World Champion Bull title more.
“That is too hard to answer,” Richardson said. “They are both great bulls. They both buck as hard as they can every time. I haven’t gotten to ride Solo, but Woopaa sure does feel good.”
Wilson does not believe going into the World Finals in the No. 1 position is an advantage to either Woopaa or Ridin Solo.
However, fresh on Wilson’s mind is the payday associated with winning the 2022 YETI regular-season bull title – $25,000.
“I am not so much worried about it as far as the big picture, but the $25,000 bonus is what I am worried about,” Wilson said. “We aren’t going to Nampa or Billings, so this weekend could be a gamechanger for us.”
Woopaa started with Richardson to the left before turning back into Richardson’s right-handed wheelhouse.
Earlier this year, Woopaa surprised Richardson with a similar out in Oklahoma City and Richardson was bucked off in just over 4 seconds.
“I am glad he did the same thing as he did last time,” Richardson, the No. 6 ranked bull rider in the world, said moments following the best ride of his career. “Man, that is a special bull to get on, especially with how hard he bucks, and it is even more special that I got to ride him.”
Friday night was arguably the best Woopaa has looked going to the right with an intense direction change this season.
Woopaa has certainly evolved into a more unpredictable and smarter bull in 2022, but it hasn’t gotten in the way of him being a World Champion contender.
“I think he is better when he goes left,” Wilson said. “He kind of hipped himself and if Austin didn’t ride him he maybe would have gotten a re-ride.”
There is someone else who prefers Woopaa go to the left.
Reigning two-time PBR World Champion Jose Vitor Leme.
Leme walked past Wilson and Richardson shortly after watching Richardson’s highlight reel ride in the same arena where he made PBR history eight months ago with his own 97.75-point ride on Woopaa.
The No. 7 ranked bull rider in the world finished Round 1 in second-place behind Richardson by riding God Bless America for 89.75 points.
If Leme can jump ahead of Richardson and secure the first pick in the championship-round draft, maybe Leme will treat Tulsa to another historic moment that are seemingly always so common during the PBR’s 18 consecutive visits to the Oil Capital of the World.
“Tell him don’t do that anymore,” Leme said to Wilson with a smirk.
Wilson then replied with his own smile.
“If you pick him tomorrow, I will tell him to go left.”
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media