CBR Bull of the Year Nominee: 626 Karaoke
Sire: Wildnights
Owned by Jerilynn Harmon, Elite Buckin Bulls
Bred by Fred Robinson
The only bull on the list of the 2017 CBR Bull of the Year Nominees to be selected to perform in the PRCA National Finals Rodeo (2015), CBR World Finals (2013-2017), and the PBR World Finals (2014) is 626 Karaoke, owned by Jerilynn Harmon of Elite Buckin Bulls.
“It is a great honor to have Karaoke in the running for bucking bull of the year, he has been a great bull for us and has never had an off day and always gives it his all every time the gate opens,” said Colorado native and owner of 626, Jerilynn Harmon.
He ranks right up there with Tuff Hedeman for the number of times he has been on the dirt in Cheyenne. 626 Karaoke, will unload in front of the Frontier Park Grandstands in Cheyenne, Wyoming for the fifth time in this eight year old bovine athlete’s celebrated career.
Each and every time he is on the day sheet in the Semifinal line up you will see smiles from the cowboys who draw him. His traveling partner now for six years, Mike White, always bucks him in the Semi-final round on the Road to Cheyenne where he was part of FOUR bull team champion event wins and $123,000 in total earnings for the Elite franchise this season. But in addition to the financial benefits and great moments provided by Karaoke this season, the big moment was winning owner Jailyn Harmon an e a new truck to drive home from Del Rio where the bull team winner was awarded a new truck as part of the 40th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding celebration.
We could talk for days about the great cowboys who have ridden him and a few, JB Mauny, Wes Silcox, Chandler Bownds, and Kody DeShon, who could not. But most important is the famed bucker’s part in many of the great victories of Sage Kimzey, Cody Teel, Joe Frost, Juan Alonzo, Jacob O’Mara, Aaron Pass, and the only rider to ride him twice this season, CBR’s #2 man, Eli Vastbinder.
626 was bucked at eight CBR tour events this season with five qualified rides, two of which were 90 point plus rides. 626 was awarded bull of the Event (Rank score) in Fort Worth where he bucked off top five cowboy Jeff Askey in 2.52 seconds. He was awarded the Champion Bull buckle twice (Laughlin and Rio Rancho,) where he was the highest marked ride for Eli Vastbinder and Cody Jesus respectively.
He began his 2017 journey with an assist to Eli Vastbinder for 91.5 points in September on Eli’s way to winning the Laughlin, Nevada event. Next up was Taryl Smith who bucked off in Conroe in 4.94 seconds. 626 made the trip to Jackson, Tennessee in January where Wyatt Rogers rode him for 87.5.
Eli would see him again in Hobbs for 88 points, but it was Cody Jesus in Rio Rancho who set the bar with a 92 point ride (away from his hand) and a 45.5 score on his way to his first CBR event win. In February Jared Long posted 88.5 points on him during his first match up with the storied bucker, but top five cowboy Jeff Askey came down quickly (2.52) in Fort Worth as did Braden Richardson (3.71) in Del Rio.
“You can’t stub your toe on him and make the whistle,” said Juan Alonzo who has ridden him twice for 91 points each time. “He’s a great draw, but you better pay attention and get a good seat.”
It is unknown who will draw him, but one thing is for sure 626 Karaoke will be part of the story at the CBR World Finals at Cheyenne Frontier Days. Karaoke has been an integral part of every World Champion’s story since he made his debut in Dodge City, Kansas on the 2013 Road to Cheyenne tour.
In 2013, as the youngest member of Mike White’s B & M CBR World Champion bull team, he debuted. Although Chandler Bownds bucked off him in under four seconds, the bull was scored 94 points, the highest number of degree of difficulty awarded to a bull that year.
Trained and hauled by former bucking bull great Mike White who retired from riding bulls to breed, raise and train competitive bucking bulls, 626 Karaoke, is arguably one of the most storied bulls in the team challenge division of CBR. He competed at the highest level as an individual athlete before he was part of the CBR Bull Team Challenge breaking earnings records of over $300,000 during his young career.
In the 2015-16 CBR season, Karaoke, a son of Wild nights and out of a daughter of Warpath, held the top honors for the highest number of 90 point plus rides, four. He was part of the four Elite Buckin Bulls teams which earned over $87,000 last year on the Road to Cheyenne.
Pro Bull Stats comments
“One of the best and most consistent bills that I have ever seen. He needs way more recognition.” Oct 26, 2015
“One of the most hardest bulls to ride, but you wouldn’t know by watching him until you rode, made me look like a fool!! Best bull I have been on in a long time.” Mar 20, 2015
Courtesy of CBR