Competing for the most prestigious trophy in North American history, four elite teams qualified to advance to Wednesday’s U.S. Open Polo Championship Semifinal doubleheader on April 18, at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida. Rising undefeated to the top of Bracket I, Daily Racing Form bypassed the mini quarterfinals to challenge U.S. Polo Assn. in the first U.S. Open Semifinal of the day. Controlling the game from the onset, Daily Racing Form’s rapid fire allowed them to maintain a commanding lead, securing both the win and a place in the final 11-8.

Indomitable in bracket play, Valiente was the first to qualify for the semifinals, their swift victories fueled by an ultimate goal of winning the third leg of the Triple Crown of Polo. Seizing goal after goal, eleven from Facundo Pieres, Valiente breezed by their competitors to secure the second position in the final 17-9. Exhibiting consummate precision and expertise, Valiente immediately took control of the field, completing passes and finishing broken plays playing their characteristic open style polo,
within minutes.

U.S. Open rookies Daily Racing Form will oppose defending champions Valiente in the final this Sunday, April 22, at 3:00pm ET in an attempt to usurp the coveted title.

DAILY RACING FORM 11-8 US POLO ASSN

Flexjet: Agustín Obregon 5, Mariano Obregon 6 (5 goals), Hilario Ulloa 10 (3), Jared Zenni 5 (3). Total: 26.
US Polo Assn: Grant Ganzi 2 (1 goal), Juancito Bollini 4, Juan Martín Nero 10 (4), Alejandro Novillo Astrada 8 (2). Total: 24.
Score Daily Racing Form: 3-0, 6-0, 8-1, 9-4, 11-7, 11-8.

VALIENTE 17-9 FLEXJET

Valiente: Bob Jornayvaz 2, Tommy Beresford 4 (2 goals), Facundo Pieres 10 (11), Adolfo Cambiaso 10 (4). Total: 26.
Flexjet: Melissa Ganzi A, Nico Pieres 8 (4 goals), Gonzalito Pieres 9 (1), Rodrigo Andrade 9 (4). Total: 26.
Score Valiente: 4-1, 7-2, 10-2, 12-5, 17-6, 17-9.

HORSE RECOGNITION AWARDS:
Best String (Best Playing String for the 2018 Season): Hilario Ulloa.
Horse of the Year (Best Playing Horse of the 2018 Season): Macarena. Owned by Mariano Gonzalez, played by Mariano Gonzalez and Adolfo Cambiaso.
American Bred Horse of the US Open: Tanita. Played by Adolfo Cambiaso, owned by J5 Equestrian.
Wembley Award (Awarded to the horse showing excellence and longevity in high goal polo): Sultan. Played by Rodrigo Andrade.
American Polo Horse Association Award (presented by the APHA): Lufthansa, played by Adolfo Cambiaso, owned by J5 Equestrian.

The US OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP (26 Goals) continues as follows:
Saturday:
4:30pm, Museum of Polo Hall of Fame Cup: Colorado vs. Audi
Sunday:
3pm, US Open Polo Championship Final: Daily Racing Form vs Valiente