Another day, another win over PBR-leading Austin Gamblers at Gambler Days event
Dalton Kasel and Jose Vitor Leme each produced identical scores of 87.5 points to power the Austin Gamblers past the Texas Rattlers 175-87.5 on the second night of Gambler Days, the PBR Camping World Team Series homestand, Saturday at Moody Center.
The win improved the Gamblers' record to 11-1, leaving them atop the PBR standings.
Kasel, Austin's leadoff rider from Muleshoe, climbed aboard undefeated Pete’s Dejavu and delivered a dominating performance right out of the chute. His 87.5 points put the Gamblers up in the bottom of the first frame as Rattlers leadoff rider Joao Ricardo Vieira could not handle Nigel in his try, getting thrown in 3.61 seconds.
Kasel continues to serve as a potent point producer for the Gamblers and seemed none the worse for wear after a hard landing a night earlier while successfully riding Pickle Moonshine.
“I got knocked around a little bit yesterday. But I passed my concussion test,” Kasel said. “I love bull riding so much that it wasn’t really in the back of my mind or anything. I just went and rode the bull the way I know how to, and praise the Lord, it worked out in my favor. ”
Kasel’s ride proved vital on a night when the bulls were large and in charge. Neither team posted points again until Rattlers closer Daniel Keeping turned in a 77.75-point ride atop Hateful. But since those were not enough points to overcome Kasel’s total, the Rattlers opted for a re-ride.
But Leme — the Gamblers superstar closer — climbed aboard Untested with a chance to put the game out of reach. Leme did exactly that, riding Untested brilliantly on the way to 87.5 points, enough to salt away the win. To their credit, in the re-ride, Rattlers' Dawson Gleaves scored 87.5 points atop Sugar Smack.
Moody Center was filled with enthusiastic fans, most of whom were there to see the Gamblers after enjoying the pregame fan fest featuring food, drinks, live music and giveaways.
“This is our first day here,” said Taylor Bridges, who along with his wife and two children made their way from New Braunfels. “Everything is great. The music, the vendors, it has all been a lot of fun.”
“This is awesome,” said Karly Bridges. “My son Ryder watches on television. He loves it. His favorite rider is Leme.”
More: No bull — Austin Gamblers are ready to ride for their 2023 Gambler Days
Three others games were played Saturday in which the bulls proved to be the masters of the ring. In the opening contest, the Oklahoma Freedom (8-4) hung on for an 82.75-0.0 victory over the Missouri Thunder (2-10). Riders from both teams were held scoreless by the bulls for most of the game. Oklahoma’s Elizmar Jeremias got the only points on a re-ride.
He started in the leadoff position only to be jettisoned by Blown Away in 1.94 seconds. Jeremias was granted a second ride when it was determined that the bull hipped himself leaving the chute. Now riding Boomerang, Jeremias turned in a successful ride resulting in 82.75 points that held up for the win.
The Carolina Cowboys (7-5) defeated the Arizona Ridge Riders 262.50–0.0 in the evening’s second game. While the bulls continued to get the better of it against the Ridge Riders (3-9), shutting them out for the game, Carolina had no such problems.
The Cowboys got points from their first three riders as Crockett native Boudreaux Campbell led off with a successful ride atop Hoka Hey. Campbell’s 88.5 points was the best score of the night. Teammate Josh Frost followed with 86.75 points by besting Red Wing and Trevor Kastner added 87.25 points by handling Wasted Days.
In the night’s third game, the Kansas City Outlaws (7-5) turned back the Nashville Stampede (3-9) by a score of 250.75–87. It was a gritty performance by the Outlaws without team captain Marcus Mast after being thrown a night earlier while riding Washita Red.
Undaunted, the Outlaws produced scoring rides by Wingson Henrique da Silva (79.5 points aboard Bad Juju), Julio Cesar Marques (85.75 points on Black Tie) and closer Cassius Dias (85.5 points atop Bread Basket). Nashville avoided the shutout when Silvano Alves mastered True Religion for 87.0 points in his closing ride.
Gambler Days concludes on Sunday with all the teams returning to decide weekend bragging rights.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin Gamblers win second straight game in three-day Gambler Days
