Lechuza Caracas Tops Pony Express 13-8 Tuesday to Qualify
for Stanford U.S. Open Quarterfinals at International Polo Club
WELLINGTON, FL (April 10, 2007) – Nine-goaler Pite Merlos scored eight goals, five in the second half, as Lechuza Caracas defeated Pony Express 13-8 Tuesday and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Stanford U.S. Open at International Polo Club Palm Beach. The game was played despite intermittent showers and thunder.
The second game between Crab Orchard and Skeeterville was rained out and rescheduled for Wednesday at 11 a.m. The winner claims the final quarterfinal spot while the loser will be eliminated.
The Stanford U.S. Open presented by Bombardier quarterfinals are scheduled for Saturday, April 14 and Sunday, April 15. The draw and schedule for the quarterfinals will be announced on Wednesday.
Although Lechuza Caracas led 5-4 at halftime, 10-goaler Sebastian Merlos said they made several changes before the fourth chukker.
“We went man-to-man instead of zone on the throw-ins and knock-ins,” said Merlos, who scored three goals, two in the final chukker. “In the beginning of the game, they scored some goals out of the throw-ins. They’re a very tough team, if you blink they can score a goal.”
Lechuza Caracas took a 4-1 lead midway through the second chukker although Pony Express rallied to tie it at 4-4 before Pite Merlos made it 5-4 at halftime. Lechuza Caracas never trailed in the second half, steadily pulling away.
Sebastian Merlos said that the horses made a big difference as well.
“I played my best horses in the second half,” said Merlos. “I didn’t double any of them and that way they’ll be fresher for the quarterfinals.”
Patron Victor Vargas and 6-goaler Jeff Blake scored one goal apiece for Lechuza Caracas (2-1), which reached the final of the 26-goal USPA Piaget Gold Cup and seems primed for a run at the Stanford U.S. Open title.
“Our goal is to do the best we can in the Gold Cup and the U.S. Open because they are the two best tournaments in the States, in North America,” said Sebastian Merlos. “We lost in the finals of the Gold Cup but we want to win the U.S. Open.”
Nine-goaler Bautista Heguy led Pony Express (1-2) with six goals while Pancho Bensadon and patron Bob Daniels scored one goal apiece. Carlos Gracida did not score.
The semifinals of the Stanford U.S. Open presented by Bombardier are set for Wednesday, April 18 at noon and 3 p.m. The Stanford U.S. Open is the culmination of the ultra-competitive winter polo season and covers the first four Sundays in April. The final, on Sunday, April 22 at 3 p.m. on Stanford Field at International Polo Club, expects to draw more than 7,000 spectators.
Historically, the U.S. Open has always been the grand prize of polo in North America. It is one of only three tournaments played at the 26-goal echelon, the highest-rated tournament in the United States. The others are the C.V. Whitney Cup and USPA Piaget Gold Cup, both also played at International Polo Club.
The first U.S. Open title game was played in 1904 at Van Cortlandt Park in New York City where the Wanderers defeated the Freebooters 4 ½-3, the lowest scoring final in the history of the tournament.
The polo matches at International Polo Club are open to the public. General admission for the Sunday games at International Polo Club Palm Beach is $15 for adults and reserved lawn tickets are $40. Children under 3 enter for free. Tickets may be purchased at the gate on the day of the game.
International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667 120th Avenue South, between Pierson Road and Lake Worth Road in Wellington. For information, directions or ticket purchases, please call the club at (561) 204-5687 or visit the website at www.internationalpoloclub.com.
Tuesday’s result
Lechuza Caracas 13, Pony Express 8
Wednesday’s schedule
Crab Orchard vs. Skeeterville, 11 a.m.