What 2 Watch 4: Team USA Wolves’ Jesse Looks to Keep Momentum Going in Chicago; Additional Draw Notes
By: Justin Felisko
PUEBLO, Colo. – Colten Jesse arrived in New York last week hungry.
Jesse was not craving a hot slice of New York pizza or a bacon, egg and cheese on an everything bagel, though. Rather, he was hungry to get back to work.
Fully recovered from reconstructive right shoulder surgery, Jesse was ready to make up for lost time on the Unleash The Beast.
Jesse was not happy with his 1-for-5 performance at the 2019 PBR World Finals, but the Finals was also his first premier series event in six months after Dr. Tandy Freeman repaired his free arm last spring.
The 22-year-old quickly struck for 8 seconds inside Madison Square Garden, though, riding Test Me for 87.75 points in Round 1 of the Monster Energy Buck Off at The Garden, presented by Ariat. It was the first of three consecutive rides for Jesse.
He then continued to push forward with 82.25 points on Hitman and 88.25 points on Lester Gillis, which was the third-best ride of his three-year career.
“It is everything,” Jesse said of his fast start. “First event of the year, it is a big motivation, but at the same time it is all just bull riding. That is something I have to remind myself sometimes.”
The Konawa, Oklahoma, native was unable to notch the first win of his career after bucking off American Gangster in 4.14 seconds in the championship round, but Jesse’s New York performance may be a sign of things to come.
New York was the first time in Jesse’s career that he strung together three or more qualified rides at a single event. The sixth-place finish is his fourth-best showing on the premier series as well.
Jesse’s recent performance is only added credence to Team USA Wolves coach Ted Nuce’s decision to name Jesse to his final Global Cup roster on Wednesday. Jesse will help attempt to lead the Wolves to victory alongside 2017 World Finals event winner Ryan Dirteater, 2018 Rookie of the Year Keyshawn Whitehorse, 2014 PBR Canada champion Stetson Lawrence, Cody Jesus, Cannon Cravens and Wyatt Rogers.
The 2020 WinStar World Casino and Resort Global Cup USA, presented by Monster Energy, takes place on Feb. 15-16 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
“I’m grateful that Ted picked me for the team,” Jesse said. “I feel like we left a lot on the table last year as a team, and I look forward to seizing the opportunity this year. Team Wolves is even hungrier than we were last year, and a bit more experienced now. I see us making a statement and keeping the trophy on U.S. soil this year.”
Jesse earned 57.5 points toward the world standings in New York, and he heads into this weekend’s Chicago Invitational 12th in the world standings. Jesse earned three points at the Kearney, Nebraska, Touring Pro Division event in December.
“After the Finals, I just kept getting on practice bulls,” Jesse said. “I went to Kearney, Nebraska, a Touring Pro up there, and rode two, and I just been staying on, keeping myself sharp and staying fresh.”
Jesse is set to square off against The Sauce (0-0, UTB) in Round 1 in Chicago on Saturday night. Fans can watch Round 1 on RidePass beginning at 7:45 pm. ET and on CBS Sports Network at 10 p.m. ET.
2019 was supposed to be the year in which Jesse took the next step in his career. That, of course, was put on hold with his surgery.
Jesse now has a clean bill of health in 2020.
“Health has everything to do with it,” he said. “It was kind of stressful sitting out last year for so long. I was able to come back and thankfully got to start here at Madison Square Garden. I am happy for it.”
INJURY UPDATES/REPLACEMENTS
Jesse will have three injury exemptions left following Chicago before being subject to the Unleash The Beast cutline. He is one of eight replacement riders in the Chicago draw – Kaique Pacheco (five exemptions left after Chicago), Gage Gay (two exemptions left), Fabiano Vieira (last exemption), Cannon Cravens (three exemptions left), Brock Radford (last exemption), Dylan Smith (alternate) and Scottie Knapp (alternate).
The group is replacing Chase Outlaw (reconstructive left shoulder surgery), Dalton Kasel (left and right groin surgery), Cody Nance (dislocated right shoulder), Brennon Eldred (dislocated hip), two-time World Champion J.B. Mauney (right shoulder), Joe Frost (broken right leg), Keyshawn Whitehorse (riding hand) and Cliff Richardson (staying in Australia).
Vieira and Cravens head to Chicago battling injuries from New York.
Vieira partially dislocated his left shoulder during his 76.25-point ride on Copperhead Road, but he was able to battle through the injury to ride Stunt Man Ray in 86.75 points in Round 3.
The 37-year-old has drawn Wileywood Blue (5-2, UTB) for Round 1.
Cravens was recommended to get X-rays on his left leg after getting his left leg squeezed inside the bucking chutes prior to being bucked off by Betsy in 3.19 seconds in New York. However, Cravens has decided against getting X-rays for the time being.
“I’m going to put it off and see how this weekend goes,” Cravens said. “I don’t have time to be out any longer. It’s time to win some money.”
2016 World Champion Cooper Davis said X-rays this week showed no fracture after he landed on his neck following a 2.79-second buckoff against Midnight Rock on Sunday. Davis will get a CT scan on Friday to be safe, but he expects to be good to go for Chicago.
Davis has a meeting against Vanished (2-0, UTB) at Allstate Arena.
BRITTAIN TO MAKE UTB DEBUT
Bradley Brittain is the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour invite for Chicago following his win in Oakland, California. The 27-year-old rode Conrad for 86 points and Indian Medicine for 83 points.
“This is my first PBR event win, and I couldn’t pick a better place to do it,” Brittain said on RidePass. “Shoot, I couldn’t pick a better time to kick off the new season. Just have one goal in mind, and that is Vegas at the end of the year.”
The Odessa, Texas, native is 8-for-57 in his career at all levels of competition, and is making his premier series debut.
Brittain has drawn Uno (0-1, UTB) for Round 1.
VIEIRA LOOKS TO EXTEND WORLD LEAD
World No. 1 Joao Ricardo Vieira takes a 26.5-point lead on No. 2 Kaique Pacheco into Chicago. He takes on Hot Time (6-1, UTB) in Round 1. This week is the first time Vieira has been the No. 1 bull rider in the world since September 2015.
POINTS SYSTEM REMINDER
Chicago is the first two-day Unleash The Beast event in the new points system. Here is how the points breakdown looks.
Most points one rider can earn: 140 points
Round Points: 20, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Event Aggregate Points: 80, 50, 36, 21, 17, 12, 6, 5, 4, 2, 1
ROUND 1 REMATCHES
There are six rematches in Round 1.
Luciano de Castro vs. Stretch (5.48 seconds in Springfield, Missouri, in 2018)
Mason Taylor vs. Sitting Bull (0-2; 2.24 seconds in previous meeting last season in Columbus, Ohio)
Matt Triplett vs. Soup in a Group (2.5 seconds at 2018 Jackson Hole, Wyoming, TPD)
Rubens Barbosa vs. Catfish John (3.71 seconds at 2017 PBR World Finals)
Silvano Alves vs. Call The Law (83.5 points in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2016)
Taylor Toves vs. South Texas Gangster (1-2; 87.5 points at 2019 Ty Murray Invitational)
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