Gay and Long John to Meet in 15/15 Bucking Battle
By: Justin Felisko
January 27, 2016
Defending World Champion Bull Long John meets Gage Gay in Anaheim, California.
PUEBLO, Colo. – SweetPro’s Long John was given a tough task in his season debut last weekend in Oklahoma City when defending World Champion J.B. Mauney selected this year’s defending World Champion Bull and rode him for 90.25 points.
Long John (22-7, BFTS) won’t have to sit in his pen and wait for a rider to select him this weekend at the Honda Center as he is competing in the 15/15 Bucking Battle on Saturday night.
The defending World Champion Bull will look to erase his 44-point bull score from Oklahoma City when he takes on Gage Gay.
“Sounds good,” Gay said when informed of his matchup. “He bucks, that is for sure. I will definitely win if I ride him.”
Fans can also watch the 15/15 Bucking Battle on CBS network television Sunday at noon ET.
Gay knows he will need to perform much better than he did against Brutus (1.94 seconds) last week if he hopes to find any success against Long John for his second career 15/15 Bucking Battle victory.
“I just have to stay to the front and try and stay there and not get pulled forward,” Gay said.
Gay is currently tied with Mauney for the BFTS lead in round wins with two each.
CBS Sports Network color commentator J.W. Hart said in Oklahoma City he felt Long John and SweetPro’s Bruiser looked out of shape.
“Bruiser and Long John look fat and I can’t wait to see them when they lose a little bit,” Hart said. “That is what them two bulls needed – to get rode. I am excited to see them two bulls bounce back.”
Bruiser (11-5, BFTS) was ridden by Mason Lowe for 91 points in the championship round and will take on Valdiron de Oliveira in the 15/15.
Bruiser had one of his best outs of his career against Oliveira last season when he bucked off the 36-year-old in 4.29 seconds for a 46-point bull score in Springfield, Missouri.
Below are the other 15/15 Bucking Battle Matchups
Cody Heffernan vs. Shepherd Hills Trapper (55-10, BFTS)
J.W. Harris vs. Roy (15-2, BFTS)
Kasey Hayes vs. Beaver Creek Beau (31-4, BFTS)
Aaron Roy vs. Apollo Stripes (17-2, BFTS)
Derek Kolbaba vs. DaNutso (21-5, BFTS)
Mike Lee vs. Brutus (8-2, BFTS)
Mason Lowe vs. American Hustle (16-0, BFTS)
J.B. Mauney vs. Cooper Tires Semper Fi (20-8, BFTS)
Wallace de Oliveira vs. Stuntin Like My Daddy (16-8, BFTS)
Robson Palermo vs. Crossfire (16-0, BFTS)
Fabiano Vieira vs. Boot Jack (20-2, BFTS)
Joao Ricardo Vieira vs. Air Marshall (2-0, BFTS)
Paulo Lima vs. Jack Daniel’s After Party (44-22, BFTS)
Harris is returning to competition after missing the Express Employment Professionals Invitational in Oklahoma City because of multiple injuries, including a right elbow and forearm strain, chest contusion and upper back rib sprains, he sustained attempting to ride Mishap in New York.
The four-time PRCA champion’s riding elbow was the biggest cause of concern in New York, but Harris said tests in Dallas on Monday revealed no significant damage.
“I had seen Dr. Tandy (Freeman) on Monday,” Harris said. “Oh, it is nothing. Just sore.”
Harris competed at the Fort Worth, Texas, rodeo this week and rode each of his bulls for scores of 79 and 73 points.
“I was in Fort Worth on Monday and Tuesday and it felt pretty good,” Harris said.
Harris has drawn Little Man (0-0, BFTS) for Round 1.
Lima begins the Anaheim Invitational with a 30-point lead atop the world standings on Joao Ricardo Vieira. He faces Strong Heart (14-7, BFTS) in Round 1, while Vieira has drawn Swashbuckler (0-0, BFTS).
Mauney faces Jeremiah in Round 1. Jeremiah saw his streak of 15 consecutive buckoffs ended by Guilherme Marchi (80.75 points) in Oklahoma City.
PBR Director of Livestock Cody Lambert said during Wednesday CBS TV production call that Jeremiah is in risk of losing a spot on the BFTS after his poor performance with Marchi.
“He is getting one more chance, but he isn’t in the 15/15 Round or anything like that,” Lambert said. “He might be gone after this week if he does it again.”
Reese Cates is the only rider with a rematch this weekend that previously covered his bull. Cates takes on Chin Music in Round 2. He rode Chin Music for 85.75 points at the 2014 Chicago Invitational.
Derek Kolbaba is in the draw after the PBR competition department extended five BFTS exemptions to Kolbaba following the 19-year-old’s BlueDEF Tour win in Denver.
Kolbaba has a Round 1 meeting with Bottoms Up (6-4, BFTS).
Claudio Crisostomo is in the draw with his second injury exemption. Crisostomo went 2-for-4 in Oklahoma City and will take on Snitch (3-0, BFTS).
Emilio Resende is in need of a big weekend as he is down to his final BFTS exemption. Resende, currently 64th in the world standings with only 37.5 points, faces Earl (10-5, BFTS).
The final four alternates competing in Anaheim are Wallace de Oliveira and Australians Cody Heffernan, Lachlan Richardson and Justin Paton.
They are replacing the following riders in the draw: Douglas Duncan (toe/leg), Matt Triplett (elbow surgery), Renato Nunes (retirement), Bonner Bolton (neck) Chase Outlaw (shoulder surgery), L.J. Jenkins (retirement) and Alexandre Cardozo (neck).
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
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