Lockwood Increases World Lead with 10th Consecutive Unleash The Beast Ride
By: Justin Felisko
January 20, 2019
Jess Lockwood went 2-for-2 on the first night of competition in Glendale to remain perfect on the premier series this season. Photo: Andy Watson/BullStockMedia.com.
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Jess Lockwood may not be feeling 100 percent, but he is still riding at a 100 percent clip on the Unleash The Beast.
The world No. 1 bull rider rode his 10th consecutive bull on the Unleash The Beast to begin the season when he covered Sosa’s Alley Cat for 87.5 points in the 15/15 Bucking Battle Saturday night during the Ak-Chin Invitational, presented by Cooper Tires.
“He hopped and skipped out of there,” Lockwood said. “I met the front end good, set my hips good and did all I could do. He came right and hell, I just kind of sat on my butt. I wasn’t waiting for the whistle, but he just kind of sat me down. He is so big and strong that when you miss one little beat with him, he is going to slam you, and he did.”
Lockwood, who is battling a minor sinus infection, picked up 45 world points to extend his lead on No. 2 Chase Outlaw to 1,137.5 points.
Outlaw was bucked off by Legit in 6.02 seconds in the 15/15 Bucking Battle.
Both Outlaw (85.5 points on Road Rash) and Lockwood (84.25 points on Blown Fuse) have scores on the board in the regular UTB event being held at Gila River Arena.
“Yeah, I’m getting a little sick,” Lockwood said. “Not because of Derek Kolbaba (who had the flu this week), but I got a sore throat last night at the (Arizona Coyotes) hockey game. I think it was a little too cold for me. That sounds funny because I’m from Montana, but I’m a snowbird nowadays. But I get sinus infections a lot. My throat’s hurting and my nose hurts, so I’m getting a little sick.”
Lockwood has drawn Deep Water (22-7, UTB) for Round 2 on Sunday afternoon.
Deep Water bucked off Lockwood in 3.13 seconds at the 2017 Last Cowboy Standing in Las Vegas.
Fans can watch the conclusion of the Ak-Chin Invitational Sunday on RidePass at 3:45 p.m. ET and 8 p.m. ET.
Lockwood is 10-for-10 on the premier series and 12-for-15 at all levels of competition.
“I mean, I feel good,” Lockwood said. “I just take it one bull at a time. Cody Lambert and I talked. It’s not a streak I’m on. This is how I’m supposed to ride and expect myself to ride, so this isn’t a streak. This is how I’m supposed to ride.”
Lockwood is the fifth rider to have a streak of 10 more rides to begin a season since 1998 – Adriano Moraes (13 in ‘01), Terry Don West (10 in ‘98 & 11 in ‘00), Mike Lee (10 in ’08) and Silvano Alves (11 in ’15).
Has he put any thought into surpassing three-time World Champion Adriano Moraes’ record streak of 14 consecutive rides to begin a season?
“I am just trying to stay on each one I get,” Lockwood concluded. “Make it simple and ride each one you have in front of you.”
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
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