Kick-starting the third week of competition in the U.S. Open Polo Championship, Valiente (Bob Jornayvaz, Mariano ‘Peke’ Gonzalez, Lucas ‘Luckitas’ Criado Jr., Adolfo Cambiaso) met Dutta Corp/Show+ (Joaquin Avendaño, Mariano ‘Nino’ Obregon, Tomas Garcia del Rio, Timmy Dutta), followed by M A G (Santino Magrini, Ignacio ‘Nachi’ Viana, Kristos ‘Keko’ Magrini’, Santiago ‘Santi’ Toccalino) facing Palm Beach Equine (Raul ‘Gringo’ Colombres, Facundo Llosa, Jesse Bray, Scott Swerdlin).
Kicking-off Monday’s action, Valiente and Dutta Corp/Show+ traded goals early with Dutta Corp/Show+ gaining a narrow edge in the second on a drive from Dutta. Following a slow start in the field, Criado Jr. sent two conversions through the post to give Valiente a 5-4 lead at the break. Earning just two goals on eight shots in the first half, Valiente emerged from the tent to take a 9-4 advantage on contributions from Criado Jr., Cambiaso and Gonzalez. Pushing for a comeback, offensive efforts from Dutta Corp/Show+’s Obregon and Garcia del Rio ultimately fell short as Valiente took the 11-7 victory.
Still searching for their first victory of the tournament, Gringo Colombres got Palm Beach Equine off to an early start, but M A G responded in the second with back-to-back conversions from Keko Magrini. Following a goal from Bray, M A G’s Toccalino and Magrini brothers were back on the scoreboard to give their team a comfortable 8-3 lead at the half. Keeping the pressure on Palm Beach Equine in the fourth, Toccalino continued to find success at the line, as Viana hit his first goal of the match. Unable to score since the second chukker, Palm Beach Equine resurrected their offense to score five unanswered, including three off the mallet of Bray. Bringing themselves back within five, Palm Beach Equine’s attempt to force overtime was too late, as a final drive from Keko Magrini sealed M A G’s 15-9 win.
Best Playing Pony was awarded to “Dolfina Nostalgia,” played by Adolfo Cambiaso, owned by La Dolfina and Caña Fly, played by Kristos ‘Keko’ Magrini, owned by Matias Magrini.
Upcoming Schedule:
Tuesday, April 11
La Fe (1-1) vs Two Trees by Jefferies (0-2) at 10:00am ET
Aspen (1-1) vs La Elina (0-2) at 12:30pm ET
Pilot (1-1) vs Tamera (0-2) at 1:00pm ET
All games of the U.S. Open Polo Championship will be livestreamed exclusively on the USPA Polo Network.
Photo Credit: David Lominska