THE eSPEED CLASSIC IS PLAYED AT OAK BROOK
By text and photos by Karen Martino Photography
eSpeed, a global leader in developing and deploying electronic marketplaces and related trading technology, hosted a festive corporate family event, The eSpeed Classic, for more than 200 guests at the Oak Brook Polo Grounds on Sunday, July 29. Two polo matches, The eSpeed Chicago Cup and The eSpeed Traders’ Cup were played before a very appreciative crowd. The event was so successful that eSpeed already has chosen their 2008 date!
Morgan Creek, winner of the eSpeed Chicago Cup and Chicago International Polo Cup – Dean Kleronomos, Julian Aguilar, Angelo Kleronomos and Vale Aguilar, with trophy presenters Paul Saltzman and Patrick Troy.
Under a beautiful sunny sky, Villa del Lago and Morgan Creek took to the field to compete in The eSpeed Chicago Cup, which also served as the finals of the Chicago International Polo Cup (hosted by the Chicago International Polo Club). The Morgan Creek team – Dean Kleronomos, Julian Aguilar, Vale Aguilar and Angelo Kleronomos – scored four goals in the first chukker to pull ahead 4-1 (Villa del Lago received one goal on handicap).
Villa del Lago’s Augustin Obregon and Marianito Obregon each found the mark early in the second period to close the gap to 4-3, but Julian Aguilar and Vale Aguilar answered with goals to again pull ahead by two goals. Morgan Creek continued their scoring spree in the third, with Vale Aguilar converting a Penalty 2 and Dean Kleronomos scoring from the field to pull ahead 8-4. Marianito Obregon converted a Penalty 2 for a half-time score of 8-5.
Morgan Creek’s lead became even more comfortable in the fourth chukker, with both Aguilars scoring, while holding Villa del Lago scoreless, for a 10-5 lead. Then, early in the fifth, Julian Aguilar found the uprights again to go up 11-5.
While it looked like Morgan Creek was cruising, Villa del Lago was saving their best for last. Jim Zenni got hold of the ball at mid-field, carrying it to goal to score. Then, at the throw-in, he got his stick on the ball and carried it to the 40-yard mark, where he passed it to teammate Augustin Obregon for another goal. Before chukker’s end, Rafael Obregon scored to narrow Morgan Creek’s lead to 11-8.
Villa del Lago continued to come on strong, with Marianito Obregon scoring twice in the final period to narrow the gap 11-10 to the cheers of the crowd. Villa del Lago missed a couple opportunities to tie the score, but a penalty conversion by Vale Aguilar (his seventh goal of the day) sealed the 12-10 win for Morgan Creek.
Vale’s excellent play earned him the eSpeed Most Valuable Player award, while Marianito Obregon’s 5-year-old American Thoroughbred mare, Portena, was judged Best Playing Pony. He played the chestnut mare in the fourth chukker.
“I am so happy she won,” he said after the game. “She played very well for me today.”
Marianito Obregon and his Best Playing Pony, Portena, in the eSpeed Chicago Cup. Trophy presenters were Patrick Troy and Paul Saltzman.
Beautiful crystal trophies were awarded to both teams by Patrick Troy, eSpeed’s
Managing Director of Global Sales, who organized the event; and Paul Saltzman, Chief Operating Officer, who flew in from New York.
The second match of the day, the eSpeed Traders’ Cup, pitted Tec-Air (Dean Regas, Carlos Baez, Anthony Garcia and Bob McMurtry) against Dark Star (Darren Watts, David Wolf, Bill Mudra and Michael Matz). Tec-Air was up 8-2 at the end of the fourth period, with Dean Regas, who played well over his 1 handicap, scoring six goals. Baez and Garcia added one each. Matz and Mudra found the mark for Dark Star. The fifth and sixth chukkers belonged to Dark Star, however, with Wolf scoring one goal and Matz converting two Penalty 2’s and scoring back-to-back goals for a final score of 9-7 in favor of Tec-Air.
Tec Air, winner of the eSpeed Traders’ Cup at Oak Brook – Dean Regas, Carlos Baez, Anthony Garcia and Bob McMurtry. Presenting trophies were Patrick Troy and Mike Agema.
Garcia received the eSpeed Most Valuable Player award from Patrick Troy. On being judged MVP, Garcia said, “It was a good win and I would like to give the award to everyone on the team. It’s always a team effort. We have a fun team. We all get along as good friends, and that makes it extra fun.”
Patrick Troy presents the Most Valuable Player award to Anthony Garcia in the eSpeed Traders’ Cup.
“It was especially good because it’s Bob McMurtry’s first tournament win at Oak Brook since he started last year.”
Matz’s 7-year-old American Thoroughbred, Sophie, was awarded the Best Playing Pony blanket. “I played her in the sixth chukker and scored three goals on her,” Matz said. “She played great.”
Both teams were awarded crystal trophies, presented by Patrick Troy, Craig Morse, Scott Arnold and Mike Agema of eSpeed.
“It was a wonderful event and a great day of polo,” Troy commented at the end of the day. “I definitely want to make this an annual event.”
eSpeed Chicago Cup (12-goal)
(Chicago International Polo Cup)
Morgan Creek – Dean Kleronomos (2), Julian Aguilar (4), Vale Aguilar (6) Angelo Kleronomos (0)/Alfredo Castro (0).
Villa del Lago – James Zenni (0)/Pablo Seferer (1), Augustin Obregon (2), Mariano Obregon Jr. (6), Rafael Obregon (3).
Pinecroft – Tommy Collingwood (1), Francisco Bilbao (6), Antonio Galvan (5), James Drury (1)/George Alexander (0).
Arranmore – John Greene (1), Tod Rackley (3), Miguel Gutierrez (4), Tim Greene (2). Dahlwood – David Wolf (1), David Wigdahl (3), Michael Matz (3), Alan Martinez (5).
eSpeed Traders’ Cup (8-goal)
Tec-Air – Dean Regas (1), Carlos Baez (2), Anthony Garcia (5), Bob McMurtry (0).
Dark Star – Darren Watts (0), David Wolf (1), Bill Mudra (4), Michael Matz (3).
Michael Matz has a smile for his Best Playing Pony, Sophie, in the eSpeed Traders’ Cup at Oak Brook. Presenting the blanket was Patrick Troy.