The Tortugas Open is gathering momentum. The 86th edition of the second leg of the Triple Crown has seen rain disrupt the schedule, with several matches moved to the Argentine Polo Association grounds in Pilar, and the first results are in.
Zone A: the champions edge through
On Friday 16 October, La Natividad La Dolfina won a narrow match against La Zeta Kazak in the second round of Zone A. La Zeta Kazak were playing in their first Tortugas Open. The same day, Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufu won on a cold afternoon at the AAP grounds, in a match Polo Press described as one of cunning.
La Natividad La Dolfina also won the Torneo Metropolitano de Alto Handicap Gold Cup this week, beating La Ensenada 17-9. It is not part of the Triple Crown, but it means La Natividad La Dolfina have won two titles this month.
Zone B: a tight picture
In Zone B, Hiper Polo Club beat La Aguada decisively on Thursday 15 October, when the Tortugas Open resumed. Later in the day, La Irenita made their debut in the Triple Crown after qualifying. On Sunday 18 October, La Hache turned a match around to claim their first win of the Tortugas Open, in a game between two unbeaten teams, and Las Monjitas won a narrow and important victory over Hiper.
- La Hache: first win of the tournament, after a comeback
- Las Monjitas: a narrow win over Hiper, who had started well
- Hiper: one win, one defeat, with the Drysdale Cup behind them
This is the kind of tournament where every game matters, with the final not due until 7 November. La Hache, who lost the Hurlingham Open final to La Natividad La Dolfina, are clearly bidding to make amends.
Barcelona’s arena weekend
In Spain, the 38th Trofeo Ciudad de Barcelona and the first International Arena Cup were both played at the weekend. So Polo won the Trofeo, with Almasanta second, Real Polo Club de Barcelona third and CPA fourth. In the International Arena Cup, Almasanta beat So Polo in the final, with CPA third.
Argentine handicaps
The Asociación Argentina de Polo has also launched a 2026 Promotion Handicap with a 30-day window.
The Triple Crown has a long way to go, and we will keep following the story.
Sources: Pololine (Tortugas Open), Pololine (Torneo Metropolitano), Pololine (Zone B)
