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LAS VEGAS — The ABBI Classic Bulls always bring an element of surprise to their round at the PBR World Finals, and to me, it's one of the most exciting rounds to watch. All these bulls are three or four years old, and if you are looking for future superstars, they are in this group — including 2 four year old bulls that are contenders for World Champion Bull right now.

The odds-on Round Three favorites

J.B. Mauney on Crosswired:

For the third consecutive round, JB Mauney has to be counted among the favorites. He is two-for-two on Crosswired for over 93 points each time. However, Crosswired's bull marks have been lower this year than in 2008 when Mauney scored big.

Kody Lostroh on Copp Hou:

This bull has almost no history with a rider. He is 3 years old, and last season, he was the ABBI Futurity Champion, with a dominant performance here in Vegas. It looks like they have rested him this season, and so this will be a big coming out party for him. If he is as good a bull as he was at the Futurity Finals plus a year of rest and growth, Kody could easily steal the round from J.B. here.

Robson Palermo vs. Black Pearl:

Winning this round is all about having the best bull, or, the way this year's World Finals is going, having a better bull than JB Mauney. Black Pearl has gone head-to-head with Crosswired all season and is leading the ABBI classic standings coming into this event. He is also a great fit for Palermo, and this could be one of those rides that stay on the highlight reel for a long time.

Valdiron De Oliveira on Deja Blue:

This will be a test for Oliveira, but Deja Blue is more than enough bull to win this round on. Valdiron de Oliveira may be better than Marchi at topping bulls that are supposed to buck him off, but, by the numbers, Deja Blue has the edge. However, I cannot bet against one of the toughest riders to get on the ground.

The Round Three honorable mentions

Ryan McConnel on Moose Knuckle:

This is a very favorable matchup for McConnel, who has been riding well — but maybe not enough bull to win the round on. Look for him to place fairly high.

Skeeter Kingsolver on Legacy:

Kingsolver has ridden this bull twice this season for 88 and 89.5 points.

Shane Proctor on Over the Edge:

The bull should fit Proctor and could be enough for him to reach 90 points on.

Cody Nance on Stinger:

This is a bull that Mike should probably ride, and if he does, he will have gone around and around more Cody Nance rode this bull at a Challenger Tour event for 89 points back in June.

Robson Palermo on Super Duty:

Super Duty has produced 90-point rides the last three times he was ridden, and he looks to fit Palermo.

L.J. Jenkins on More Bucks:

The odds are with L.J. to make a ride, and this is a bull he could be 90 on. More Bucks carried Cody Campbell to 90.25 points in his last BFTS appearance in Pueblo.

Pete Farley on Top Notch:

Pete had the top pick in Round Three, and he picked a good one, but it may not be enough bull to beat any of the top five bulls in this round.

The world leaders

Already mentioned J.B. and Lostroh.

Guilherme Marchi on Twisted Aces:

Marchi hasn't been among the favored so far, and that continues today. Twisted Aces is unridden, and his bull scores indicate he may not be enough to place on in this round.

The 2009 world champion bull race

Two bulls out tonight are gunning for it, and both are capable of taking the lead, but I think Black Pearl may have a slight edge today. We'll have to see if it's enough to steal the lead from Code Blue.

The Up-and-comer:

I love to watch the young bulls that are just coming on, and in this round, the wow factor could come from a newcomer. Moreno Livestock's Bushwhacker, with only four PBR outs is bringing an unridden record and an average bull score of 46.19 points. Bushwhacker comes to Vegas with very high expectations for a first-timer.

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