Juliano Da Silva Wins Round 1 of BlueDEF Finals

LAS VEGAS – On the opening night of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) BlueDEF Tour Finals, Brazilians ruled the night as Juliano da Silva (Eloi Mendes, Brazil) won Round 1 with 89.5 points on Cracker Breaker (D&H Cattle Co.) at South Point Arena Saturday night.

Da Silva took over the lead after he rode his bull late in the final section. With the round win he earned 80 PBR world standings points along with $4,000.

Chase Outlaw (Hamburg, Arkansas) held the lead through two sections after riding Ms. Kitty’s Peacemaker (Exclusive Genetics) for 88.5 points, finishing in second place. Outlaw earned 50 points toward the world standings as well as $3,000.

Countrymen Dener Barbosa (Paulo de Faria, Brazil) and Emilio Resende (Santa Helena do Goias, Brazil) tied for third place after matching 85.5-point rides. Barbosa rode Simon Says (Rickey West Bucking Bulls) while Resende covered The Lunatic (Jared Allen Pro Bull Team/Phenom Genetics). The pair each earned 25 world standings points along with $1,500 apiece.

Dakota Buttar (Kindersley, Saskatchewan) finished in fifth place after riding El Guerrero (JH Cattle Co.) for 84 points. He earned 15 points toward the world standings. Tying for sixth place was Robson Aragao (Aracaju, Brazil) and 2004 PBR World Champion Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas) who each rode their bulls for 83.5 points. Aragao covered Bobby T (Loganas/Halpain) and Lee covered Mi Vida Loca (Triplett Bucking Bulls). The pair each earned five points toward the world standings.

Round 2 will begin at 7:00 p.m. PT on Sunday evening while Round 3 and the championship round will be on Monday evening at the same time.

Fans can watch all of the action on either PBR.com or via the PBR LIVE app, which is available for download on Google Play and iTunes.