The Professional Bull Riders were on the West Coast last weekend for stops three and four on the 34-city Built Ford Tough Series Tour. Kody Lostroh of Longmont, Colo., rode his way to the title at the Save Mart Center in Fresno last Friday, cashing in for a two-round win and nearly $61,000 in earnings. Lostroh scored 183.25 points on two, including Julio Moreno’s bull Troubadour.

“It always feels great to win,” Lostroh said. “But being able to get on great bulls like Troubadour and win feels even better.”

Lostroh drew Priest Creek Ranch’s bull Little Bighorn for 88.75 points to win the first round. In the draft for the championship, Lostroh selected Troubadour. He turned in a score of 94.5 points to win that round and complete the sweep.

Lostroh is off to a hot start with a riding percentage of 100 percent and he continues to strengthen his lead in the 2009 World Standings.

“Troubadour is the best bull going and I would pick him every time,” he said. “I guess when I knew it was going to be good was when the whistle blew and I was not on my head.”

Taking second place overall was Brazilian Renato Nunes, while Matt Bohon of Cole Camp, Mo., finished third.

The riders then headed north to Sacramento for two-day action Saturday and Sunday. Zack Brown greeted a filled ARCO Arena with a big-time performance, scoring 262.5 points on three bulls to win a check worth $29,708.

“This weekend was great,” Brown said. “Fresno didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to. I was bucked off All In in the short round. I managed to get to the short round here so had the opportunity to take the rematch on him and I did. This time it turned out in my favor.”

Brown said he knew he could ride the tough bull out of the Naccarato Bucking Bulls string and that’s why he drafted him two days later at Sacramento.

“Even though I got bucked off, he felt so good I figured I might as well try again,” he said. “I knew I’d kick myself in the butt if I didn’t.”

Brown said he is pleased with the results of the early season.

“I feel good, I’m riding great, and I’m staying healthy. I’m just staying focused and feel that I have a good shot at having a successful year,” he said.

Second place overall went to Dustin Elliott of North Platte, Neb., who tallied 260 points over three rounds. Third place went to Austin Meier of Kinta, Okla., who totaled 255.25 points.

The PBR Conduct Committee took action against Kasey Hayes of Liberal, Kansas, for his actions in Sacramento. After getting bucked off his bull Blind Date, of Red Knection Bucking Bulls, Hayes threw his face mask in disgust at the bull, striking him on the side. The bull was not injured.

The committee fined Hayes $7,500, instructed him to apologize on national television at the next event and to enroll in an anger management program. The committee also decided that if Hayes does not complete these classes, he will be suspended for three BFTS events.

The PBR now heads to Dallas for action this Saturday and Sunday.

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Butch Thurman has covered professional rodeo for 29 years. His e-mail address is butch@rodeosportsupdate.com