July 30, ’06: America cup is a “Santi” . . .Torres that is. The 2006 America Cup will go down in history as a substitute cup. There were so many substitute players in this tournament it was hard to know who was on what team sometimes, but most of all it will go down as the arrival of young Santi Torres, who is about 13 years old plus or minus a year. Santi is the Young Gun’s (Miguelito Torres) little brother. Miguelito aka The Mig or Miguel Torres, Jr. of became well known in the polo circuit playing for White Birch. His younger brother Santi started about a week ago last Friday substituting in the America Cup for Geoff Palmer on the Antelope/Long Beach team and did he ever make it happen. As I said in a previous story for 3 chukkers he seemed normal then the middle of the 4th it was like they turned on a switch and they never turned it off as I have never figured out how it happened. It was a team I coach who suffered the entry of Santi into the tournament. Paco de Narvaez probably had it right when he said “it was the horses. He suddenly realized on Geoff Palmer’s string he could do anything he wanted.” That was bad news for everyone else and a delight for Long Beach/ Antelope. Danny Walker played very well and extremely disciplined has let the dogs out. The dogs referring to two big sticks in the form of Pancho Bensadon and Luis Escobar and it carried them to the title as they smoked last tournament champs Mansour to win the Finals of the America’s Cup on Sunday. It got close at the final bell, but it was too little too late and that was against the Snowman who never says no. He will fly with 10 seconds to go down by 10 and everyone knows he is not done until the final bell stops ringing. It was a very nice gesture by Geoff Palmer, who has had a back problem, to let Santi finish the tournament on his horses as he may have been able to play today. Hats off to Geoff Palmer. Santi’s Dad, Miguel Torres, Sr. 2 weeks ago Monday underwent a brain operation to remove 2 tumors and best of all he was up and watching his son in the game. That has to help anyone feel just a little bit better if not a heck of a lot better!

In the consolation match it was Audi who showed they are here to play polo. Mrs. Ganzi had the Los Toros team on the ropes and down for most of the game, but she had to fight a very tough Broadway (Michael Rothbard) and camp to the very end. They lost their biggest stick with just about 3 minutes to go and tied up. He was sent aside by the stripes with too many red flags and they were not for scoring goals.

The PCO starts on Wed. and its a one game day as Audi the consolation champs add Bossman Mark Ganzi to the lineup vs. Antelope/Long beach who bring Geoff Palmer back after a injury layoff. Could be exciting .

CONGRAGULATIONS TO 2006 AMERICA CUP WINNERS

LONG BEACH/ANTELOPE

#1 SANTI TORRES, #2 DAN WALKER, #3 PANCHO BENSADON, #4 LUIS ESCOBAR.

SEE YA AT THE PCO

To view and read previous Polo Reports by Steve Crowder please visit the Report archives click here.

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