2000 NFR         NINTH PERFORMANCE

Pen of Bulls:    THE  GOLD COAST  GAMBLERS

Yep .... the bull riders are staying at the Gold Coast. And yeah--they also gamble. But what makes so unique....what separates them from other cowboys, other athletes, and other men-- is that they gamble their LIVES. Maybe 200 days a year.  They lay it out there.... betting on themselves or the grace of GOD.  For a lot of them it’s both. That’s what makes these guys and all the ones who came before them or ride bulls as a profession--  SPECIAL.

This a pen of just really good bulls.  Pretty juicy but have set patterns. 

You can have a plan and execute it.   They bat 85% or better on their buck-off percentages but these kind of guys should do a lot better than that unless they stub their toe.

Should be some very good rides tonight.  A lot depends on which way the bulls turn back (into the guy’s hand or away from it) and what kind of day the bulls have.  The guys are beat up but this is where they can find out what they are all about.

See …. bull riding is a journey to find oneself.

Cody Hancock                        542   Freeloader                  Growney/Kish

Supposed to be a gassy spinner and sometimes bucks like he needs another helping of refried beans.   On the other hand, you even let a Texan walk by a bean of any variety and he could clear the Astrodome.   FREE got Danell in the third go round...went away from his hand--and looked unusually bucky.   Bull was marked  92 23-22-23-24.

Jesse Bail                               4  Skoal Grey Cat                              Bailey

Bail’s back in the hunt.   This fast spinner bucked off Kagan in the 5th round. Usually faster and doesn’t kick as much.    Bull scored 89  23-22-22-22. Looking at this grey Brahmer you wonder if one of Kish’s trucks unloaded at one of Bailey’s sale barns for an slumber party and CAT got left behind.  Getting left in Oklahoma from a cultural perspective would compare to being left in Somalia. All you need to make it in Oklahoma is a pickup truck and a knife.   They both better be big.

Robey Condra                        1   Rowdy Ricky                          4L  (Lowry)

This black bull got Corey on the turn back in the sixth go so we never got to see much of him.   He bucked both trips here last year.  I’m thinking they were in the high 80’s on RICK at the Southeastern Circuit Finals recently and one of these judges was there.  This bull has a little rear (not rear end  ... RARE)..... and that makes him more difficult than some in this pen.   Shouldn’t bother Robey. Bull scored  84  22-20-20-22 but like I said--Corey didn’t get him started.

Rob Bell                                 -10  Barracuda            Broken Arrow/Thomas Taylor

One of Thomas’ three NFR bulls.   Was out in the third performance and made short work of Cody.  They rode this bull a few times to win go rounds or short gos. Just good.   Bull marked  87  23-21-22-21  but the judges didn’t get to see him very long.

Philip Elkins                           152   Undertaker                             Andrews

This brindle is a male model compared to some of these homely characters. Good looking F-1 (first generation Brahmer Hereford cross--which would make most normally Republican minded Herefords vote for late term abortion.)

Bull can be a little slow but really bucked with Dan in the third round.  It also was a quick buck-off.   Bull scored  89  23-21-22-23.   Undertaker was in the bull sale but Sammy PO’ed him. 

Tyler Fowler                           50   Hammer Time                                    Bad Company

I thought this little black bull really bucked with Fred in the 5th round.  Rode him right to the whistle to win the round.   Mighta been A Team material that night but he didn’t buck as good his second trip here last year or his second trip at the PBR finals.   If he has his best day Tyler can win first.   Bull scored   90  23-21-23-23...... in 7 seconds which is a lot more pertinent than being marked that much in 2 or 3.   If they are still a 22-23 at the end--you know they are a bucking.

Dan Wolfe                              2   Captain Hook - - - Broken Arrow/Thomas Taylor

This is the little white bull that someone threw a bucket of black paint at.  Would be on the A Team tomorrow if he wasn’t so small.   I don’t think he’s that young--he’s just a runt.   Very hard to stay on.   Dan will have to hustle like he did last night--at least initially.  The little guy is supposed to flatten out but really GINS it.

(While GIN is something that stock contractors are level full of--in this context it means “to spin very fast”.) 

Lee Akin                                 573   Gold Coast Gambler                      Growney/Kish

Stands to reason if this bull’s name is the same at the pen of bulls--it oughta be first place.   Sure might be.  .At least this bull is smaller than the two Lee had last night.   He’s got to be ultra sore but this still should be good watching.  Little bull will probably go both ways and is trying little bugger  (not boooooger).  A tryng little booger is one that is way up in there and cemented in.   The kind that Flint Rasmussen likes as party snacks (can’t spell WHORE DERVES.   Bull got Kagan in the third round.  89 22-23-22-22.  

Heard a few stock contractors were screaming because K78 Unforgiven was the high marked bull last night.   How could that be?, they whined.  Akin got a reride option.  Geez.... give me a break.   Are you that petty and jealous hearted? What a great bull.   The reride option had nothing to do with the bull’s PERFORMANCE.   For $750 you’d make complete butts of yourselves? You ought to be ashamed .  Last night, Unforgiven SOLD tickets to EVERY PRCA rodeo.   A heck of a lot more than $750 dollars worth.

Gregory Potter                          P57  Wanna Dance           Diamond G  (Gilbert)

Didn’t get but a glimpse of this red bull with Dan in the seventh go round. Rockin Wolfe either takes victory lap or he’s back in the locker room before the whistle blows.   Never got around the corner but Greg will.  This little bull is rated as “Just a good one” by the secret agents.  85  22-20-21-22 but they didn’t get to see much of him.    Should place.

Shane Drury                           P73   Limited Edition                                    Big Stone

This big bull was impressive with Rob Bell in the when he jerked Rob down at the 6.5 second mark in the sixth round.   Was in most of the shorts goes at Cervi’s winter rodeo run--Denver-San Antonio—Houston (figuring 2 trips per rodeo—there’s $300 of hard cash).   Not just a little spinner LIMITED is different enough that the judges (who thrive on difficulty (even if they have to imagine it)--should like this bull.

Not a bad one to have if they ride as many bulls as I think they will and the judges get all constipated (clogged up)--as I KNOW they will.   The only problem with having 4 judges is that their slight differences of opinion tend to neutralize each other and that results in splits.   Or they don’t actually try to judge—just cover their butts.

When they aren’t imitating road kill--I like the way these judges and several more out there--judge.   In most instances they place the guys.... you can look at their sheets and tell who they thought should win what.  I have absolutely no patience with judges who ride the fence--either mark every one the same or close to it.   Shifting the burden to the other guys is B.S.   It looks to me like it has even has happened here.   Yeah, the pens are set to be close stock wise but these guys make their livings judging.   They know how to use spread. Use their ride scores to place the guys.   There is no excuse for it. Dang it JUDGE.   If you’re supposed to be the best--then BE the best. Ticks me off.  

I’m in a bad mood anyway. Now I know how George W Bush musta felt like yesterday.   Or Al Gore feels today.  Yeah... the NFRC kicked me and Kagan in the nuteroonies last night.  Denied our appeal and it wasn’t a 4-3 vote either.  Cagey buggers were lurking like wolves waiting to attack a poor little sacrificial lamb (ME).

Even though they had proof that the score was announced and was on the board.... it’s just not right.   O.J. got off--why not my client-- Kagan?  I want to see the DNA evidence. Put officer TJ Furman on the stand... 3 quarts (better make that 3 barrels) of truth serum and I can make him crack. Where are the bloody gloves?   I even tried the  “if they don’t fit--you can’t convict” Johnnie Cochran line.    Worked for him--thought I’d take a shot.  

Or maybe they dubbed the audio tape and spliced in a scoreboard shot. History indicates that these people will go to any extremes to get their desired result.   I ask you... where were they when Kennedy was shot?   If it wasn’t the Cubans... if it wasn’t the Russians... if it wasn’t the military... and it wasn’t the Mafia... then it had to have been the NFRC.  If they can’t fine a guy to death— they just shoot him.  

Danell Tipton                         514            Real Deal                            Growney Kish

Somebody better lend REAL DEAL his vest.... he’s in for a spurrin.   This bull was as flat as my cousin Irene (and that is FLAT) but VERY fast with Philip in the fifth go.   Can be buckier than that plus the judges docked Philip’s ride a couple of points.   He was still 85 and split 2/3.  Bull was marked:  87  22-21-22-21.

You know who can REALLY judge?   Charlie Too Tall.   No kidding.  In the bull fighter room (much more upscale than the bull rider room--by the way)  he never misses in the horse or bull ridings.   He ought to be a pro official. The other judge could stick him in a bag and carry him on.

Kagan Sirett                               601  El Smacko                                   Big Bend

This yellow horned bull (no... he doesn’t have yellow horns--he is a yellow shaded bull that HAS horns) had a really good day with Robey in the fifth performance and got it stuck on him.   He was 88 and won the round.   Kagan knows this bull and should place high.   Bull scored  87  21-21-22-21.   Take up those stirrups on the victory gallop horse.

Fred Boettcher                    141  Sand Man                               Andrews

This bull was outstanding all year and at the Mesquite Copenhagen Cup deal. Then he didn’t buck very good one trip at the PBR finals.  He also didn’t buck very good here in the fifth round.  Shane made a really good ride on him though and was 85 and split 2/3.   The bull only scored an 82  20-20-20-22.   This is supposed to be the go round if this bull bucks like he can.    He really fits Fred.   Sammy thinks this bull needs his butt slapped out of there.   Like to see Boetttcher take that victory lap.   Dang…. better let out those stirrups again.

Corey Check                              +2  Smokin Joe                                  Bailey

Corey likes to be called “Cruiser”.    Well the Cruiser has a good one tonight. The highest marked bull out in the fifth performance when he bucked off Josh. Bull scored a 91  24-21-23-23.  Three of the four judges musta been smokin something besides Joe.   Knowles probably just couldn’t get his lit.   Kinda a big healthy bugger and isn’t just a spinner like some guys think.   Good draw.

Josh O’Byne                          610  High Voltage                          Beutler/Gaylord

This action cat is Rhett Beutler’s good baby bull that dusted Jessie in short order in the 7th go round.  Bucky around the corner, pretty gassy for a couple of rounds--then flattens out.   Not a day off for sure.   Bull Scored  89  23-22-23-21.   Ooops... now you better take those stirrups back up.   Sorry.

Rerides:   (not necessarily in order)

311      Why Not Minot            H. Vold   

Lee won 2nd in the 7th go.  Bull scored   86  22-21-22-22

P45            Diamond Cutter                    Andrews

Robey made him look too easy in the 6th performance.   Was 85 and won second. Bull scored an 85  21-21-21-22. 

3F        Spin Doctor                         Andrews

Wild child.  Bucked off Danell in the 5th.  Bull marked an  84  21-20-21-22 but he usually bucks a little better than the other two.