Castro Wins Round 1 in Glendale
By: Justin Felisko
January 20, 2019
Luciano de Castro rode Kern River for 88 points to win Round 1 of the Ak-Chin Invitational, presented by Cooper Tires. Photo: Andy Watson/BullStockMedia.com.
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Luciano de Castro says he was not nervous about his lack of world points through the first two Unleash The Beast events, but he was certainly letting out a sigh of relief following his first round victory of 2019.
Castro rode Kern River for 88 points to win Round 1 of the Ak-Chin Invitational, presented by Cooper Tires, Saturday night at Gila River Arena.
“I am very happy because I ride good and got good points,” Castro said with the help of Emilio Resende translating. “I do not have a lot of points this year. The bull spins into my hand and I have a good chance with the good spinners into my hand.”
The 22-year-old picked up 100 points toward the world standings and is now the No. 25 rider in the world.
Castro is 5-for-8 this season, but the third-year pro has been struggling to accumulate any world points. He began the night with only 55 points in the standings and was ranked No. 51.
“Normally, I am relaxed,” Castro said. “It is OK.”
Castro finished a career-best No. 6 in the 2018 world standings.
Colten Jesse finished second in Round 1 with an 87-point ride on Uncle G.
“Oh, you know, it felt great,” Jesse said. “I didn’t really know that bull going into it, but shoot, it worked out and ended up being good. Made it work, I guess.”
Jesse earned 60 world points and moves up to No. 37 in the world standings.
Koal Livingston (86.5 points on Kmag YoYo), Lucas Divino (86.5 points on Cowboy’s Red River) and Rubens Barbosa (86.5 points on Firewater) rounded out the Top 5 by tying for third place.
The three riders earned 40 points toward the world standings.
There were 18 qualified rides in Round 1.
World leader Jess Lockwood is sitting in 14th place following 84.25 points aboard Blown Fuse.
Fans can watch the conclusion of the Ak-Chin Invitational Sunday on RidePass at 3:45 p.m. ET and CBS Sports Network at 8 p.m. ET.
Castro will take on The Godfather (1-0, UTB) in Round 2 on Sunday.
The Godfather bucked off Tanner Byrne in 6.92 seconds at the Monster Energy Buck Off at The Garden in New York City.
“It is very important that I cover both of my bulls tomorrow,” Castro concluded. “I would be very happy to get a lot of points. I am crossing my fingers that I will get a good bull in the short go to get a lot of points.”
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
© 2019 PBR Inc. All rights reserved.