WELLINGTON, Florida – A doubleheader featuring four of the best high-goal teams in the United States are ready for the semifinals of the historic Stanford Financial Group – 100th U.S. Open Polo Championship on Thursday at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Sentimental favorite Isla Carroll, led by 15-time U.S. Open winner Memo Gracida and International Polo Club owner John Goodman, plays 2003 finalist Lechuza, led by 10-goalers Pite and Sebastian Merlos, at 10 a.m.

Catamount, led by the dynamic duo of American 10-goaler Mike Azzaro and 9-goaler Carlos Gracida, plays perennial powerhouse White Birch, led by 10-goaler Mariano Aguerre, at noon.

The 26-goal tournament culminates with the championship match on Sunday at 3 p.m. There is also a consolation final on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Following Thursday’s second semifinal, the club hosts a Texas Barbecue and a concert by the renowned country group, Gary P. Nunn band. The musical entertainment is included in the game ticket price. The barbecue is $10 per plate.

Eight-goaler Pancho Bensadon has provided most of Isla Carroll’s scoring, leading the team with 28 goals in five games. Gracida has added 11 goals, including the game-winner in the quarterfinals, in addition to directing the offense. Sugar Erskine has scored 10 goals from his No. 1 position while Goodman, playing Back, has scored three goals. Isla Carroll won the U.S. Open in 1997, the last time Gracida won this prestigious tournament.

Lechuza, which rallied to defeat Pony Express in the quarterfinals, is led by Sebastian Merlos’ 27 goals. He has moved to the No. 3 position while older brother Pite, coming off a groin injury which sidelined him for two weeks, returned at No. 2 and scored seven goals in the quarterfinals. Patron Victor Vargas has scored three goals during the tournament and Gaston Urturi rounds out the team.

Catamount, a first-time entrant in the U.S. Open, welcomes back Azzaro, who missed the quarterfinals with a herniated disk and probably will not be at full strength in the semifinals. Gracida has picked up the scoring slack with 20 goals in five games. Patron Scott Devon has scored three goals while 21-year-old Pelon Escapite has played superb defense while adding five goals.

White Birch has reached the finals three times and is led by Aguerre’s 25 goals. He has lots of help with 9-goaler Lucas Criado, who has scored 16 goals, and 3-goaler Del Walton, who has scored 12 goals. Patron Peter Brant has played solid defense.

Thirteen teams, featuring 10 10-goalers, entered the Stanford Financial Group – U.S. Open Polo Championship, the most prestigious polo tournament in North America, highlighting the historic inaugural polo season at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Fifteen teams, in 2002, is the record for teams in a U.S. Open.

The Stanford Financial Group – U.S. Open is being played on the International Polo Club Palm Beach’s five world-class Bermuda-grass playing fields.

The Houston-based Stanford Financial Group, a privately-held global network of affiliated companies, has signed on as the title sponsor of the 100th U.S. Open Polo Championship in 2004. Stanford’s family of companies provides international private banking, trust and brokerage services and real estate development. Currently, the Stanford organization manages in excess of $17 billion in deposits and assets, serving clients on six continents. The success of the group is the result of entrepreneurial spirit and drive spearheaded by third generation Chairman and CEO R. Allen Stanford.

Like the high-goal teams on the field, the International Polo Club Palm Beach has amassed a lineup of prestigious sponsors for the U.S. Open. The Stanford Financial Group – U.S. Open tournament will feature a different presenting sponsor every Sunday, including Bombardier Aerospace, Cunard Ltd. and HUMMER, Mitchell-Peck Jewelers, Piaget and Roder.

As always, there will be a delicious Sunday brunch, catered by The Breakers, open to the public preceding the featured stadium match, along with the now traditional and very popular champagne divot stomp and a post-match awards presentation.

Individual tickets for the U.S. Open tournament Sunday games and Thursday’s semifinals are $15 for general admission and are available in advance. For ticket information for the U.S. Open, please call the club at (561) 204-5687 or visit online at www.internationalpoloclub.com. Tickets are also available at the gate.

International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667 120th Avenue South, between Pierson Road and Lake Worth Road, in Wellington.

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