Aldo Díaz hit with two positive tests: nine-month suspension and a second open case

La Cordial (pictured) has been disqualified for lidocaine, while Hit It a Bou has been provisionally suspended following a positive test for cobalt. Both runners had won stakes races at La Plata just three days apart

LA PLATA.— Aldo Alfredo Díaz, currently sitting second in the 2026 trainers' standings at Hipódromo de La Plata,has been implicated in two separate medication violation cases involving horses under his care. The two proceedings stand at different stages: the case involving La Cordial has concluded with a nine-month suspension for the conditioner, while the inquiry concerning Hit It a Bou remains open, with the horse placed under provisional suspension.

Both samples were analyzed by the Chemical Laboratory of Hipódromo de San Isidro, though the races took place at La Plata. On September 19, La Cordial (Santillano) captured the Clásico Jockey Club de Santa Fe over 1,700 meters. Three days later, on September 22, Hit It a Bou (Hit It a Bomb) won the Handicap Haras San Benito over 1,200 meters.

In the post-race sample taken from La Cordial, racing for Caballeriza Mayflower, analysts detected lidocaine, a substance classified under Article 25, Section II, Subsection c) of the General Rules of Racing. Formally notified of his right to request a split-sample analysis, Díaz expressly waived the option, confirming the initial finding and advancing the file to a final ruling.

At its November 3 session, the Board of Stewards handed down a nine-month suspension to the trainer, running from October 30, 2026, through July 29, 2027, inclusive. The ruling noted that Díaz had no prior recent medication violations in the province of Buenos Aires while reiterating the trainer's strict regulatory responsibility for all horses under his care.

In addition, La Cordial received a two-month suspension through December 29 and was disqualified from the purse.Blessed Shine (Honour Devil) was promoted to first place, with Total Triomphe (Cima de Triomphe) moving up to second. The Stewards also instructed their Legal Department to file the corresponding criminal complaint.

The second investigation involves Hit It a Bou, campaigning for Stud Mis 4 Soles. Following his victory in the Handicap Haras San Benito, testing revealed the presence of cobalt—a finding preliminarily categorized under Article 25, Section II, Subsection d). No definitive penalty has been issued yet in this matter.

Authorities provisionally suspended the colt and granted Díaz three business days to state whether he will request the opening of the split sample and submit a formal defense. Because the trainer was already serving suspensions under Resolutions 1085/26 and 1095/26, no additional preventive suspension was imposed on him.

Hit It a Bou subsequently won the Clásico España (L) on October 13, also at La Plata, though that victory is unrelated to the cobalt finding.

Díaz, who acts as representative for Juan José Martínez, now faces major repercussions mid-season given both his standing in the trainers' table and the fact that both positives stemmed from stakes-level wins. While one case has already reached a final verdict, the second awaits the next procedural steps.