WELLINGTON, Florida – Nine-goaler Matias Magrini converted a 60-yard penalty with 1:15 left in regulation to lift Old Pueblo over Isla Carroll 9-8 in a first-round match of the 26th annual C.V. Whitney Cup 26-goal polo tournament Wednesday at International Polo Club Palm Beach.

In another C.V. Whitney Cup contest, 9-goaler Agustin Merlos scored five goals to spark San Saba past Lechuza 11-9.

Isla Carroll scored the first goal but there were eight ties in the game, with neither team able to take more than a one-goal margin. Pancho Bensadon of Isla Carroll scored on a breakaway with 3:01 left in the game, tying the game for the final time at 8-8. Both teams missed scoring opportunities before Magrini’s game-winning penalty shot.

Magrini led Old Pueblo (1-1) with seven goals while Facundo Pieres added two goals. Substitute Silvestre Donovan, filling in for the injured Jeff Hall, and patron John Hall, did not score. Jeff Hall injured his wrist during the previous game and it is still bruised and swollen.

Bensadon led Isla Carroll (1-1) with five goals while Sugar Erskine added two goals and Memo Gracida scored one goal. Patron John Goodman did not score.

Toto Collardin and patron Tommy Lee Jones scored two goals apiece for San Saba (1-1) while Hector Galindo added one. Sebastian Merlos led Lechuza (1-1) with four goals while Pite Merlos and Brad Blake scored two goals each. Patron Victor Vargas scored one goal.

Thirteen teams entered the tournament, which is a prelude to the Stanford Financial Group – 100th U.S. Open Polo Championship, the most prestigious polo tournament in North America. The C.V. Whitney Cup quarterfinals are scheduled for Sunday and the final is slated for Sunday, March 21 at 3 p.m. at the International Polo Club Palm Beach stadium.

The tournament is named in memory of Cornelius Vanderbilt “Sonny” Whitney, who along with his brother John Hay Whitney, were important polo patrons in the 1930's. The son of Hall of Fame patron Harry Payne Whitney, C.V. won the U.S. Open three times (twice against his brother), and was a renowned owner and breeder of thoroughbred racehorses.

The polo matches are open to the public. Tickets for the Sunday games at the International Polo Club Palm Beach are available at the gate, beginning at $10 each. For information or advance tickets, call (561) 204-5687 or visit the club website at www.internationalpoloclub.com.

International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington. From I-95, take the Forest Hill Boulevard exit and go west approximately 12 miles. Turn left onto South Shore Boulevard and go two miles. Turn left onto Pierson Road, travel about one mile and then make a right onto 120th Avenue South. The club is on the right. From Florida’s Turnpike, take Exit 93 (Lake Worth Road) and go west about six miles. Make a right onto 120th Avenue South. The club is on the left.

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