Bettin’ on Holden

It wasn’t quite Monte Carlo, but roulette wheels, blackjack and craps tables abounded on the hallowed Holden Field at the Santa Barbara Polo Club as the lush Carpinteria equestrian facility held Casino Night for nearly 100 guests.

“As the NetJets Pacific Coast Open, the biggest polo match on the West Coast, looms large, we try many events to keep all the top-class polo players attending entertained,” explains club manager David Sigman.

“This is always great fun!”

Among those quaffing the Royal Flush Mai Tais – with light rum, triple sec, orange juice, pineapple puree, and grenadine – and the Black Jacks – a heady concoction of Fernet and Coke – were Kevin Mokarow, Will Busch, Rhys Williams, Santi Wulff, Drew Wakefield, Justin and Jake Klentner, Paige Beard, Claudia Uretz, and Bayne and Piers Bossom.

Aerialists ElectriCirque, a Santa Barbara-based act, added to the entertainment.

Gleaming in the rustic clubhouse, as it has been since 1952, was the impressive gold and silver Pacific Coast Open Trophy, which at five feet is almost as tall as actor Tom Cruise.