What to Watch For: No. 14 Leonardo Castro hopes to stay hot in Sac-Town
After going 4-for-4 in Sacramento in 2024, can the Brazilian run it back inside Golden 1 Center?
By James Youness
FORT WORTH, Texas – Almost exactly one year ago, Leonardo Castro exited Golden 1 Center with his first Unleash The Beast event win.
Taking home a whopping $119,950, as last year’s showcase was a four-round PBR Major, the 20-year-old understood what it felt like to be on top of the world.
Exactly the sentiment he’s chasing here in Week 11 as the Wrangler Long Live Cowboys PBR Sacramento Presented by Cooper Tires prepares to invade the Golden State once more.
And it wasn’t just any ole victory, either, as the Brazilian turned in an electric 4-for-4 performance as the only cowboy to accomplish said feat when the tour last visited Sacramento, California, which very much helped propel him to his No. 17 year-end finish in 2024 during his rookie campaign.
After zooming in on Luciano De Castro and his Arizona Ridge Riders’ teammate Keyshawn Whitehorse during last week’s What to Watch For, we’re doubling down on the Castro namesake as we take a deeper look at the world’s No. 14-ranked rider and his quest to turn a sophomore season into a run to remember.
While his show-stopping effort from last season continues to serve as his best UTB finish to date as his only event victory, Castro has added his second and third-best efforts to his growing resume earlier this season, which include a third-place finish in Wichita, Kansas and last weekend’s fourth-place result in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Representing the first man left off the podium inside PPG Paints Arena, Castro concluded the event with the second-highest-scoring 2-for-3 effort on the weekend, albeit 2.5 points behind Clay Guiton.
Taking home a quality 43 UTB points for his time, he’s now officially 12-for-21 (57.14%) on the season as he looks to build on his seventh-best riding percentage (among riders who have attempted at least 10 bulls) when the circuit resumes Jan. 31 out west.
Having competed in nine of the tour’s 10 events this season, the New York Mavericks standout has managed to record at least one qualified ride in eight of his nine appearances.
Don’t get us wrong, besting one bull at any given event is rarely good enough to earn cash or quality UTB points. But riders aren’t able to produce their flawless 3-for-3 runs or close-call 2-for-3 efforts without getting said records started somewhere.
So, each and every time Castro and company get at least one rode, they understand they’re trending in the right direction to not only keep their name in the weekend’s title running but staying alive for a shot to claim the 2025 World Finals’ honors.
And at the end of the season, it’s typically the rider with the most qualified rides to his name that earns the coveted buckle. In a season where it’s rather evident the battle for the buckle is going to come down to some last-second heroics, each and every ride – and point – counts more than ever.
Specifically, he’s ridden at least one bull in five of the tour’s last six meet-ups. And when you consider each of those five placements were Top 15 efforts, three of which also qualify as Top 10 feats, it’s clear the young cowboy is riding some momentum into this weekend’s showcase in Sacramento.
Add in a fifth-place finish at the Denver PBR Chute Out at the National Western Stock Show earlier this month, which not only awarded UTB points but was packed full of premier series regulars, and it’s clear the 20-year-old is ready to make another run.
Three-straight 2-for-3 efforts in premier series competition is good enough for a 6-for-9 record throughout his January stretch. Combined with his 2-for-3 showing in Denver, the cowboy was 8-for-12 across all PBR-sanctioned competition this month.
Not a bad clip for someone who’s only attended 23 UTB events.
And of those 23 times he’s showed up, he’s managed to record at least one score in 19 of them, meaning he’s been on the board for 82.6% of the showcases he’s qualified for. When said stretch to open one’s career also includes four Top 5s, eight Top 10s and 17 Top 20 placements, he’s being called Consistent Castro for a reason.
He might not be breaking the bank. But he’s zeroing in on top dawgs like No. 1 Brady Fielder and company, who he trails by 335.25 points heading into Sacramento. That gap might seem substantial right now – But there are still a dozen regular season events to play out.
Fans won’t need to wait very long to see how the Brazilian performs Friday night, as he’s set to dance with In My Blood during the second out of Round 1. Can the New York Mavericks’ standout keep his hot streak rolling in Sac-Town? Be sure to tune in LIVE and FREE Friday to find out!
This weekend’s Wrangler Long Live Cowboys PBR Sacramento Presented by Cooper Tires showcase in Sacramento, California, is set to begin Friday, Jan. 30 at 7:45 p.m. PT as the best bull riders in the world prepare to put on a show inside Golden 1 Center.
Competition will continue Saturday, Feb. 1 at 6:45 p.m. PT with Round 2 before the three-day event concludes Sunday, Feb. 2 at 1:45 p.m. PT with the third round followed by the short go as riders vie for mid-season UTB points and a chance to climb the tour’s standings!
