Juan M. Etchechoury Suspended by San Isidro After Río Maggio Tests Positive Following Candy Stripes Handicap Win

Multiple Positives Shake Up Local Scene; Maximiliano García Handed Six-Month Ban, Marcos Antonio Medina Gets Three for Otoshimae Case

Río Maggio Captures the Candy Stripes Handicap in Style / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

After a relatively quiet stretch on the regulatory front, a string of recent medication violations has once again put the spotlight on Argentina's testing protocols, with several prominent trainers facing disciplinary action.

At San Isidro, provisional suspensions have been issued to multiple professionals, including Juan M. Etchechoury, whose runner Escape Room (Il Campione) tested positive following a fifth-place finish in the ninth race on July 4, won by El Triplo (Mask). Etchechoury, who had been presenting horses on behalf of his father, top trainer Carlos D. Etchechoury, is now awaiting results of the B-sample, should he choose to request one, to confirm or overturn the initial finding of a violation of Article 25 of the General Racing Regulations.

The news comes shortly after Carlos Etchechoury himself was handed a four-month suspension in connection with the The Gladiator’s Hat (Hat Ninja) case. That horse won the Handicap Jorge H. Iglesias, but was found to have received Lasix in a race where it was not permitted due to an admitted barn error.

Also at San Isidro, trainer Justo Juan José Benítez was provisionally suspended following a positive test returned by Río Maggio (Winning Prize), who won the featured Handicap Candy Stripes on July 9. The prohibited treatment detected has not yet been specified, but the case now moves forward pending further inquiry.

The racetrack also confirmed a six-month suspension for Maximiliano García, after his filly Austen (Fragotero) tested positive following her win in the 14th race on June 14. Austen has been disqualified and suspended for two months, with the final order of finish adjusted to: 1st La Campioneta, 2nd Fantástica Gloria, 3rd Local News, 4th Brisa Warrior, 5th La Dolly, and 6th Wi Star.

Meanwhile, at La Plata, trainer Marcos Antonio Medina received a three-month suspension after Otoshimae (Japan) tested positive for cobalt following a victory in the second race on June 26. The mare is barred from competition until August 21, and the revised order of finish reads: 1st Belle Chanson, 2nd Inside Dancer, 3rd Distinguid Bomb, 4th Puerta Inca, 5th Isla Patrulla, 6th Emma Pandora.

The recent wave of sanctions underscores the continued vigilance of local authorities, while raising new questions about consistency in barn protocols and the growing need for tighter compliance across racing venues.