Wild Ride! Reality Check! DraftKings Oklahoma Wildcatter Days Night One: Odds Defied
Picture Courtesy of: PBR Picture Credit: PBRThe 2025 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Teams Series blasted off last night with Oklahoma Wildcatter Days, and it was anything but business as usual – think pure, unadulterated chaos and stunning upsets. DraftKings had set the stage with the Austin Gamblers at a formidable -200 and Florida Freedom Flock at +150. Given the Gamblers’ status as reigning and defending champions and their formidable starting five, their favored status was entirely understandable. However, the vivid drama of bull riding spectacularly unfolded, proving unequivocally that this sport thrives on unpredictability. This opening game painted a bold, unforgettable picture: sometimes the smart money is on the one who was never supposed to win.
Yes, the Gamblers went all in with their pocket aces, unleashing seven-time PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) Bull Riding World Champion Sage Kimzey to open the game. Kimzey delivered, giving Austin the early lead with a powerful 86.50-point ride on Skippy.
That electrifying ride gave the Gamblers the early lead, which Thiago “Baby T” Salgado quickly countered with a determined 86.25-point ride on Herded.com The Gambler, leaving the Gamblers clinging to a mere quarter-point advantage.
But, the Gamblers’ other pocket ace, Dalton “Mr. Ninety-pointer” Kasel, swiftly answered with a commanding 88.75 points on Woah, extending the Gamblers’ lead. The pressure was squarely on the Freedom to ride and remain in contention.
If you thought perhaps Paulo Crimber, who has undeniably done something amazing with the Freedom Flock since becoming coach, was worried, he didn’t show it. He displayed unwavering faith in Alex Cerqueira and the bull Cerqueira specifically wanted, Ugly This. Cerqueira rose to the occasion, allowing the Flock to answer with a crucial 87.25-point ride.
With the Freedom still trailing the favored Gamblers, the stage was set for their closer and three-time PBR World Champion Jose Vitor Leme. Let’s be honest, everyone likely thought Leme would deliver the winning ride. Instead, he hit the dirt early, a moment that surely shocked everyone at home and inside the Paycom Center. This unexpected turn handed the Freedom’s own closer a golden opportunity for a walk-off victory for the underdogs.
The 2024 PBR Camping World Teams Series and Championship MVP, John Crimber, appears to thrive under intense pressure. All he had to do to deliver a walk-off win was to hear the 8-second whistle on Bam Bam.
John heard that whistle, and with it, delivered the thrilling win for his team. This game of five-on-five bull riding unequivocally showed that for this particular contest, the smart money was indeed on the underdogs. Check out John hitting his “Show me the money” celebration below:
Tonight, the Florida Freedom Flock are now favored at -130 against the underdogs, the Missouri Thunder at +100.
Catch all of the electrifying action from the night of the PBR Camping World Teams Series Oklahoma Wildcatter Days at 7:45 PM ET tonight on PBR+, RidePass, PBR YouTube channel, or Facebook!
May the odds be in your favor!