Pilot relishes first win of tournament
WELLINGTON — Curtis Pilot, making his debut in 20-goal polo this season at International Polo Club Palm Beach, got his first career win Sunday in the Joe Barry Cup with the team that bears his name.
After back-to-back losses, the team Pilot, led by brothers Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres and 16-year-old Timmy Dutta, defeated Grand Champions Polo Club 15-12.
It was one of five games on the final day of bracket play in the 11-team tournament. In other games, Tonkawa and Modere remained undefeated and Postage Stamp joined Pilot as firsttime winners after two losses.
A shootout featuring Coca-Cola, Travieso, Colorado, Goose Creek and Postage Stamp is at 10 a.m. today on Field Three to determine pairings for the Joe Barry semifinals and Bobby Barry subsidiary.
Pilot led by as many as eight goals (13-5 and 14-6) in the fifth chukker. Facundo Pieres, rated at 10 goals, older brother Gonzalito, a 9-goaler, and Dutta, a sophomore at One Education Place in Wellington, complemented Pilot, based at his Sonny Hill Polo Farm in Point Clear, Ala.
Facundo Pieres scored 10 goals, bringing his season total to 21. Dutta added three and Gonzalito Pieres had two. Nico Pieres, playing against his two brothers, led Grand Champions with six goals.
Pilot has been playing low and medium goal for seven years.
“I love this level, it’s the first time I ever played it,” Pilot said. “I have been playing 8 and 12 goal. I love the 20-goal games. I think it’s safer than some of the lower goal games.
“We had fun. The first time we ever played was our first game and we just didn’t jell, that was my fault. The second game we did much better and this third game we played a very, good aggressive team.”
It was also Dutta’s first 20-goal win at IPC. Dutta started playing three years ago and is one of the sport’s rising stars.
In the featured stadium game, Coca-Cola led from start to finish to defeat SD Farms, 11-6. Steve Krueger was most valuable player and Sugar Erskine’s horse, Popsy, was selected best playing pony. Erskine led scoring with six goals and Krueger added three.
Tonkawa 12, Travieso 10: Tonkawa (3-0) got five goals each from 10-goaler Sapo Caset and 16-year-old Sterling Giannico.
Postage Stamp 13, Colorado 11: Kris Kampsen scored six goals for Postage Stamp (1-2).
Modere 12, Goose Creek 11: Modere (3-0) outscored Goose Creek 3-0 in the final chukker. Tengoaler Hilario Ulloa led Modere with five goals. Mariano Gonzalez had eight for Goose Creek.