POLO: DRF UPSET VALIENTE IN U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Balladeer’s Blog continues its coverage of the world’s OLDEST team sport. FOR MY PRIMER ON POLO CLICK HERE  

U.S. OPEN: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – DAILY RACING FORM VERSUS VALIENTE

Valiente – Official Balladeer’s Blog Nickname: The Valiants – were the defending champions of the U.S. Open and had taken last year’s Triple Crown of Polo. Daily Racing Form – Official Balladeer’s Blog Nickname: The Stat-Hounds – defied the odds and derailed the seemingly unstoppable Valiente juggernaut.

FIRST CHUKKER – Valiente grabbed an early lead by way of a pair of Goals from Facundo Pieres. Daily Racing Form responded with a Goal of their own as the opening Chukker ended with the defending champs on top 2-1.

SECOND CHUKKER – This time around it was the Stat-Hounds who swatted a pair of Goals between the Uprights while limiting their opponents to just 1. The score was now knotted up at 3-3.

THIRD CHUKKER – DRF seized their first lead of the Match, once again outscoring the Valiants 2 Goals to 1. Going into Halftime the Stat-Hounds led Valiente by a count of 5-4.

FOURTH CHUKKER – The two teams went blow for blow and Goal for Goal to start the 2nd Half. When this sextant was over and done with DRF held a 6-5 edge over an increasingly nervous Valiants team.

FIFTH CHUKKER – An offensive explosion was in store in this Chukker as the ball flew between the Uprights like shrapnel! Each team scored THREE Goals to make the score 9-8 with the Stat-Hounds still on top.

SIXTH CHUKKER – The Sixth and final Chukker saw DRF and Valiente battle furiously, but mustering just one Goal apiece. That was all the Stat-Hounds needed, however, and they emerged with a 10-9 triumph for the ages. DAILY RACING FORM ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF THE 2018 U.S. OPEN.

Hillario Ulloa led the victors with 5 Goals.