WELLINGTON, Florida – Sapo Caset converted a 60-yard penalty shot with 1:11 remaining and Alex Agote scored on a breakaway 30 seconds later to lift Pony Express over San Saba 13-11 in the 22-goal Hall of Fame Cup opening polo match Thursday at International Polo Club Palm Beach.

The loss overshadowed an outstanding performance by San Saba’s Agustin Merlos, who tied the game at 11-11 on a 15-yard neck shot with 2:01 remaining. Merlos finished with a game-high nine goals. Hector Galindo scored one goal for San Saba while patron Tommy Lee Jones and Luis Echezarreta were held scoreless.

Agote finished with a team-high five goals and Caset added four goals for Pony Express (1-0). Patron Bob Daniels chipped in with two goals and Santiago Trotz, who replaced an injured Jeff Blake for this tournament, scored one goal.

San Saba rallied to take an 8-7 lead with 3:01 remaining in the fourth chukker on Merlos’ 10-yard penalty shot, but Pony Express tied it when they were awarded a goal because of a dangerous play near the goal with 1:52 left in the fourth chukker. Following a throw-in in 10 yards from goal, Trotz knocked in a near-side shot to give Pony Express a 9-8 lead. There were seven ties in the game.

Ironically, Pony Express defeated San Saba 13-9 in the opening game of the high-goal season on Jan. 4.

Also, Del Walton and Mariano Aguerre scored five goals each to lead White Birch over Isla Carroll 13-10 in another Hall of Fame Cup game Thursday. White Birch scored four unanswered goals to snap a 4-4 tie en route to a 9-5 halftime lead. Isla Carroll could not get closer than two goals the rest of the game.

Todd Offen added two goals and Carlucho Arellano, who substituted for patron Peter Brant, scored one goal for White Birch (1-0).

Pancho Bensadon led Isla Carroll (0-1) with six goals while Sugar Erskine and Tomas del Rio added two goals apiece. Isla Carroll patron John Goodman did not score.

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, 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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