BILLINGS — Andrew Alvidrez holds a slim lead over Cooper Davis and Jose Vitor Leme after two rounds of the PBR Ariat Invitational at First Interstate Arena at MetraPark in Billings, but Montanans Jess Lockwood and Dakota Louis aren't far back.
After qualified rides in each of the first two nights, Lockwood and Louis find themselves inside the top 10.
Lockwood, a two-time and reigning PBR World Champion who is making his return after missing the prior six months due to injury, was bucked off Cold Chill but was issued a re-ride. He then rode Full Battle Rattle for 85.75 points.
Saturday's ride has Lockwood sitting seventh in the three-round event.
Louis, the Browning native, sits in sixth after an 84.75-point ride atop Notorious. Louis is looking for his first Finals appearance.
Lockwood's younger brother Jake was bucked off Whiskey Juice on Saturday and is in 14th place.
Alvidrez leads after two rounds, posting scores of 88.5 in Round 1 atop Big City Nights and 87.5 in Round 2 atop Losing My Religion.
Round 2 went to Cooper Davis, who posted the best score of the first two days of the event. Davis rode M.A.G.A. for 90 points, following up Friday's 85.75-point ride atop Short Pop. Davis is in a tie with Jose Vitor Leme, Friday's second-place rider who posted an 86.5 Saturday, for third place.
Round 3 gets started at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
