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2008

How to get to the Bullring?

-- Review for May 25 2008 -

Well this isn't going to be easy but here goes...

The Tijuana Bullfight season opener on May 25 2008 at Plaza Monumental was witnessed by some two thousand energetic bullfighting fans, who were wondering if there would be a season at all, the cartel included the venezolano Leonardo Benitez, the tlaxcalan Uriel Moreno "El Zapata", and from the capital Jose Mauricio with a herd from "Los Encinos".

The afternoon began with a minute of silence in honor of a bullfight judge, whose name I didn't recognize, and that of Gary Sloan, a longtime bullfight photographer and staple of the bullring itself. He was a friend amongst many, and missed by all. As the minute of silence was under way, two monosabios made there way from toriles in a vuelta with the large photo of Gary, that was taken by a good friend and fellow photographer Mark Mecalis (www.mecalisgraphics.com).

Leonardo Benitez

The first bull of the afternoon was named "Fotografo", in honor of Gary (#384 - 450K) and with a set of horns destined for stardom. Leonardo walked onto the sand to greet "fotografo" with some nice veronicas. After the pic'ing, the quite was nothing but chicuelinas that were excellent and deserved applause. Leo placed his own sticks, that were place good and accepted by the fans. He began his faena with derechazos, and then went into redondos that brought the fans to life (it was pretty quiet until then). There want too much on the left and as the end neared he went to his knees and pulled out some pases por altos en rodillas. He pinched on his first sword attempt, and the next wasn't so pretty, a bajonazo.

Benitez' second of the afternoon, "Cadete" (#405 - 450K), with some wide horns didn't do so well with this one as his first. He opened with a set of good veronicas that ended with a media. He placed his won sticks again, that were good. The faena was mostly on the left side, with the auyda as the bull was having a bit of time adjusting. A few passes on the right, then he got on his knees and made a few passes that the fans seemed to like. He placed the sword all the way in, but it worked itself out and had to settle for 3 descabellos. He received light applause, and after washing his hands came out al tercio, and gave himself a vuelta.

Uriel Moreno "El Zapata"

Zapatas first bull of the afternoon "Patero" (#77 - 485K), like his other brothers had some horns to keep your eyes on, pointed up and headed for trouble. He couldnt get anything done with the capote, I think he got off one veronica. He placed his own banderillas in great fashion, I believe he won the duel of banderillas. He opened his faena with some altos en tablas and then proceeded with some derechazos that were good, then switched to the left side and pulled out some good pases and adornos. He pinched on his sword attempt, and the next try was good. Ovacion

The second of El Zapata, "Puntillero" (#400 - 450K) a cardeno (gray) with wide horns, made his way into the ring, and was greeted with a large cambiada, some nice veronicas, and a media on his knees. The quite consisted of some chicuelinas and finished with a media. He once again placed his own banderillas and won over the crowd with two consecutive placement of sticks "al violin" (over his shoulder). He began his faena with a pase por alto in los medios. He then continued to work the right side, and then began making some adornos on his knees with his back to the bull, again winning over the fans. He placed an excellent sword, patas arriba, and was given one ear by the judge and the fans petitioned the second one which was granted.

Jose Mauricio

Jose was awaiting "Montero" (#385 - 475K) at tablas and on the second go round caught the bullfighter off guard and almost clipped him. He pulled out some fine veronicas. His Faenas were good on both side but not too exciting, a bit difficult on the left as the bull was hooking and stopping in mid pass, though he finished the faena with some scary pase por altos. A media estocada, then another, then 5 descabellos. Pitos.

The last bull of the afternoon, "Pescador" (#67 - 495K), the biggest, but also the one that got my attention. If you look at the photos you might notice that this bulls horn don't look fully developed, well yes he is 4 years old but his horns didn't look it, not with the body on him. Pescador looked to me like the offspring of the cows that are brought out to take the bull back to the corrals (I forgot the name). Nonetheless "Pescador" put on a good show. He hit the peto and kept pushing until the picadors horse just could take it, and down went the horse, and "Pescador" wanted more. Jose's quite was of tafalleras, and looked nice, that's one of the capote pases that I like, and finished with a larga. His faena was just ok, nothing great, it looked as though he didn't read the bull right, cause the bull kept wanting more, and Jose gave him what he could. There was some good moments, then he went to his knees, and made some adornos (el telefono). He continued trying to get a pass off, and did succeed on the right side, a nice trincherazo was welcomed after those kneeling passes. The public began to petition for an indulto, but Mauricio looked up to the judge and said no. His sword work was something he needed to pratice, because it just wasn't there. Saludos.

Thus the afternoon came to an end, with El Zapata being carried out en hombros (on shoulders). I went with my father, and drove into Tijuana, the thing you don't want to do on a holiday weekend, but much to my surprise, the wait to get across the border was about 50 cars! About 30-45 min. Much better than 200+ cars on any given Sunday. For the next bullfight I hear it is going to be on the 6th of July with maybe "Zotoluco".

Please note that this is my first review of a bullfight in about 10+ years, so if my writing is off, you'll know why.

Gerry Campos
webmaster
bullfights.org

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