The first matches of the 2019 Gladiator Polo season kicked off at the International Polo Club Palm Beach on Friday, March 15, as a double-header saw Team New York defeat Team Los Angeles 15-14, followed by the later contest in which Team Palm Beach topped Team Dublin 12-8. Gladiator Polo will return Friday, March 29, pitting Team Los Angeles against Team Palm Beach at 8 p.m.
Team New York (1-0), a heavy favorite in the four-week series, saw outstanding play from Pelon Escapite, Mike Azzarro and alternate Jesse Bray. The fast-paced and aggressive style of Escapite and Azzaro helped to lift Team New York to their first victory of the season in an evenly played match.
Team Los Angeles (0-1) saw solid play from players Tomas Garbarini, Gringo Colombres, as well as Santi Toccalino, who earned the match’s MVP honors.
Escapite finished the evening with seven goals for a total eight points after converting the only two-point penalty of the match. His teammate Mike Azzaro netted three goals, while Bray added an additional four.
The second game of the night saw Team Dublin (0-1) take on Team Palm Beach (1-0) in the second six chukker match of the evening, with Team Palm Beach rising to the occasion and securing the win 12-8.
Team Palm Beach drew the first overall draft pick of the season during the inaugural Gladiator Polo draft and selected prolific player Tommy Biddle to lead their efforts during the season. Biddle scored two goals in the team’s debut game. Geronimo Obregon and Toro Ruiz supported Team Palm Beach’s strong showing, with Obregon recording three goals on the evening and Ruiz netting four.
The game was closely paced through its entirety, as Team Palm Beach took an early lead in the first chukker and started the second chukker up 3-1. At half time, the game was tied at 6-6 before Team Palm Beach pulled away in the fifth chukker to make it 11-8 and sealed the victory with the only goal of the final period to end on a final score of 12-8. Toro Ruiz secured MVP honors for the match for Team Palm Beach.
Team Dublin, represented by Gallego Ferrario, Tito Ruiz and Nino Obregon, came out strong and set the intense tone for the match. Ferrario capitalized in the first chukker with a single goal, while Obregon supported with four goals and a converted penalty.
Gladiator Polo will continue into April with games scheduled on Friday, March 29 featuring Team Palm Beach vs. Team Los Angeles; Saturday, April 6 with a match between Team Dublin vs. Team New York; and conclude with the Gladiator Polo Championship on Saturday, April 13 at 8 p.m. All games will begin at 8 p.m. with gates opening at 7 p.m. General admission and parking are free. Learn more at www.gladiatorpolo.com.
