Missed the action this weekend? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! From the Florida Freedom storming to the top of the standings to the Austin Gamblers defending home dirt in a Championship Game rematch, Gambler Days had it all — walk-offs, streaks snapped and leaderboard shakeups. Here’s your full front-row recap from Austin.
On the PBR Team Series...
AUSTIN, DAY 1
The Oklahoma Wildcatters (3-9) opened Gambler Days with a shocker, upsetting the league-leading Arizona Ridge Riders (9-3). Josh Frost struck first with 88.5 points on Big Shasta, and Cort McFadden sealed the deal on Blonde Bomber, as Arizona’s pair of conversions from Eduardo Aparecido and Luciano De Castro weren’t enough.
The Missouri Thunder (6-6) clawed back to .500 by edging the New York Mavericks (3-9). Jett Harkins’ 89.25-point ride on Kevin and Andrew Alvidrez’s closing strike on Snappy flipped the game after the Mavericks briefly led behind Mauricio Gulla Moreira.
The Carolina Cowboys (5-7) topped the Kansas City Outlaws (6-6) thanks to two key rides: Adriano Salgado on Bad Boy and MVP leader Clay Guiton, who extended his streak with a qualified ride aboard Coal Train.
The Texas Rattlers (8-4) bounced back strong, taking down the Nashville Stampede (4-8). Brady Fielder stayed hot, riding his eighth bull of the season, with teammates Daniel Keeping on Torched and Ezekiel Mitchell on Rip adding insurance scores.
The night closed with the Florida Freedom (8-4) upsetting the host Austin Gamblers (8-4). Freedom stars João Ricardo Vieira on Bucktown, Thiago Salgado on The Kraken, and closer John Crimber on Mississippi Mercenary all converted — and when Crimber punctuated his ride with horns down, the Moody Center, packed with Gamblers faithful, roared back in boos.
AUSTIN, DAY 2
The Austin Gamblers (9-4) rattled their instate rivals, defeating the Texas Rattlers (8-5) to claim the Land.com Texas Cup. The win tied the Gamblers and Rattlers atop the all-time wins list (63 each). Dener Barbosa delivered the lone qualified ride of the defensive slugfest on Prince Charming.
The Florida Freedom (9-4) roared into first place with a near-perfect outing against the Nashville Stampede (4-9). Thiago Salgado opened with 88.25 on Soul Train, followed by Yan Victor Cunha on Big Jake, before Elizmar Jeremias on Nobody and John Crimber on Triple Aught stacked on two more.
The Carolina Cowboys (6-7) rode four of five bulls to take down the Missouri Thunder (6-7). A resurgent Jess Lockwood lit up the night with 89.25 points on Chico, while Clay Guiton on Blowhard, Ethan Winckler on Cookie, and Daylon Swearingen on Whip all hit the whistle. The game also marked the debut of the Leather brothers — Macaulie and Boston — suiting up together on the same team for the first time in their PBR Teams careers.
The Oklahoma Wildcatters (4-9) blanked the New York Mavericks (3-10), their third straight win under coach J.B. Mauney. Wingson Henrique da Silva got things rolling on Henry, and Cort McFadden shut the door aboard Top Dollar.
Defense dominated the final matchup as the Arizona Ridge Riders (9-4) and Kansas City Outlaws (6-7) fought to a rare 0-0 tie, the fourth scoreless game in Teams history. Luciano De Castro briefly posted a score on Damaged Goods, but it was overturned and re-ridden.
AUSTIN, DAY 3
The Austin Gamblers (10-4) closed their homestand with a statement win over the Carolina Cowboys (6-8), a rematch of last year’s Championship Game. Lucas Divino fired first with 88.75 on Woody, and Andrei Scoparo added an 85-pointer on Johnny Rocket. Carolina’s lone strike came from Ethan Winckler on I Hate You, while MVP leader Clay Guiton’s streak ended at 10 after a buckoff on The Kraken.
The Florida Freedom (10-4) completed a perfect weekend and now sit alone atop the standings after four wins in a row. Their showdown with the Texas Rattlers (8-6) opened with fireworks as Brady Fielder paired with legendary Man Hater for 93.75 points — the third-highest in Teams history. But Freedom answered in waves with rides from Thiago Salgado on Jam Jam, Joao Lucas Campos on Ransom, Elizmar Jeremias on Good Riddance, and John Crimber on Buffalo Heifer.
The Arizona Ridge Riders (10-4) snapped a three-game skid by outlasting the Missouri Thunder (6-8). Everton Natan da Silva’s 87 on Velvet Revolver proved the game-winner against rookie Jett Harkins, who stayed hot for Missouri on UTZ BesTex Smokestack.
The Kansas City Outlaws (7-7) edged the Oklahoma Wildcatters (4-10) in walk-off fashion as Heitor Santos Ferreira clinched the win on Short Fire following Koltin Hevalow’s opener on Buck. Oklahoma’s highlight came from Guilherme Valleiras with 88.75 on Yo Mamma.
The Nashville Stampede (5-9) found Broadway magic once more, walking off the New York Mavericks (3-11). After Anderson de Oliveira set the table on Torched, Cody Jesus slammed the door with 87.25 on Hoka Hey — his third walk-off in two weeks.
Here’s where the teams stand after Gambler Days:
Florida Freedom (10-4)
Austin Gamblers (10-4)
Arizona Ridge Riders (10-4)
Texas Rattlers (8-6)
Kansas City Outlaws (7-7)
Carolina Cowboys (6-8)
Missouri Thunder (6-8)
Nashville Stampede (5-9)
Oklahoma Wildcatters (4-10)
New York Mavericks (3-11)
Through the lens with Bull Stock Media
Catch the best photos from Gambler Days — from massive 90s to walk-off rides — all captured in detail HERE.
Looking ahead...
What’s next on the docket?
First, join us for the PBR Stockyards Showcase in Fort Worth, TX on Aug. 28 at Cowtown Coliseum.
Then, it’s off to Springfield, Missouri for Thunder Days, kicking off Aug. 29 at 7:45 p.m. CT, continuing Aug. 30 at 6:45 p.m. CT, and wrapping up Aug. 31 at 1:45 p.m. CT inside Great Southern Bank Arena.
Stay tuned for more PBR updates and rankings next week!
Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media