Mike Azzaro was riding singles twice today. That is a bad sign for ERG/Grant’s Farm. It means this is serious buisness. He has none of his own horses and he is a former 10-goal player trying to get horses ready and he is doing a 10-goal job. Azzaro knows he has to win tomorrow in order to get to the finals. He also knows he is playing with and against a 2 patron team. So its the plan that will win. Azzaro has rookies to the 20-goal on his team and the others do not. Its a push for others, but hey its polo. Anyone can have a bad day. It might be Azzaro or it might be the opposition. NOBODY KNOWS.
Some more Teams ID
Long Beach/Klentner Ranch
Justin Klentner – New to polo in the last 5 years from Detroit ,Mi, but he has been in LA for a while. Justin is driven by the speed and physical ability of the sport and likes horses and the competition. He is probably the least experienced of all the players but makes up
for it by hustling.
Matt Walker – Needs no introduction to Santa Barbara. He has been here since he was born. Matt is young, big and an aggressive player. He is the son of Dan Walker, who is one of the highest-rated amateurs in the country. Dan (and his grandfather) is also one of the reasons this club. Kenny may be the toughest man I ever met.
Luis Escobar is a strong, consistent player who has been on many U.S. teams and abroad as well. He has a very pretty wife or he might not be noticed as often. Luis is now 7-Goals and has been 8-goals. He has won many majors in the U.S. including the Pacific Coast Open 2 years ago.
Mike Azzaro was 10-goals and is not far away at any point. He is fast as a player can be and even though he is playing borrowed horses. Mike is a force and will always be. He has
only one thing on his mind when on a horse . . . where is the ball? He feels it’s his no
matter if its 12- or 40 -goal polo and it maybe. Oh and he will be running.
GRANT’S FARM/ERG
Scott Woods is from Houston, Texas that I know. He plays polo and he loves to win and
that is all I know for sure. Scott seems to like to run very fast wherever he He also has won often and in many places, so get ready to see him go.
Jeff Blake has only one word that describes him and its a very simple “TOUGH.” He will and can win no matter when or where. Jeff is a true pro and never pretends to be anyone else. He has a great mind for the game. Jeff plays by the plan and he is an extremely tough athlete. He is a true ambassador of the game.
Paco de Narvaez is going one way and that is UP. He has 2 Pacific Open wins in a row already and he will be the fastest man on the field for sure. So watch him run and sit back and relax as Paco will be anything but relaxed.
Andy Busch is big, young and used to be fun. Now he is all business and polo is at the moment too. When I first met Andy he was a working stiff at AB products and polo was a release. Now it IS the business. He loves to win and usually does from 14- to 26- goal he
has won. Andy has won this one before so here we go. He will be calling “HIT IT!”
PIOCHO RANCH
Tom Barrack is what he is . . . a big and powerful person. He is also one of the nicest and smartest men you will ever meet . He can walk wherever he wants and that’s just the way it is. Tom is a gentleman, but he is also tough as they come. If he decided he wanted to be King, he probably would be. A very good man is what he is.
Julio Gracida is young at about 20. Everyone says wow and it would be so cool to have his
parents too. Well maybe not. His Dad (Memo) was 10 for 20 some years. His Grandfathers were both high-goal players for 20 + years and both parents like to work and do. Julio has never had any choice his name is Gracida. His Mother is George Oliver’s daughter and they are a big polo family. So he has to play polo and is doing it well.
Memo Gracida is North America’s version of Juan Carlos Harriot, the first true 10-goaler since Cecil Smith who was also a Legend in U.S. Polo. Some great players have have come and gone, but none like these two. They stood there as top players in polo for so many years. More than 2 decades at the top of the game and they did it the old-fashioned way. They worked for it.
Kris Kampsen is what he is . . . a wild Redhead called “big bird.” He stands 6’5 and stretches from hand to hand more. He has connection with trouble and danger, that’s why
God gave him red hair. It was so you would know he is coming and coming up fast.
Right or wrong he will be there. He is fun to watch and makes lots of noise.
ZACARA
Lyndon Lee is young, tough and rich. It takes about 60 seconds to get the idea he is the boss and after 10 minutes you know why the English ruled the World for centuries even though they were the smallest country. There is an immediate thought that comes to mind when you think of Lyndon “there are no prisoners in this camp.” They have been here twice and made mistakes and I doubt there will be a threepeat.
Jack (Ruki) Baileau is an Aussie. He is fast as Phelps and strong as a Kangaroo, but he loves horses and polo. He may soon be one of the best polo players on the planet, but he has plateaued lately like many young players, but may be needing
a break. Only time will tell. I would guess he will be back ASAP.
Nick Roldan is probably the most talented player in North America today. He is so
young. Like Ruki, he is still at the moment, but a week away from being one of the
best on this planet at any time. When he passes that line he could be compared to Adolfo Cambiaso, Jr. and I would bet on it.
Brandon Phillips is older, but a seasoned pro with a very steady game. He is always solid , not too flashy, but a well proven winner who hails from Canada. Brandon helped lead
Canada to the World Cup as usual, just steady on the helm.
There are not many teams this year, but the quality is very good and the games will be as well. See ya Friday,