Positives in bulk: between logical concern and the certainty that those who break the rules pay the price

A high number of horses failed their tests at the country's main racetracks between late 2025 and early 2026

It is, at the very least, strange. After a period of relative calm regarding positive results, an abnormal number of suspended trainers has come to light in recent weeks, forging one of those moments where doubts and questions begin to surface.

It could be due to a cosmic coincidence, including a backlog in some resolutions, but many are already talking about other types of maneuvers. What is certain and concrete is that at Palermo, San Isidro, and La Plata, the end of 2025and the beginning of 2026 arrived with a flood of horses that failed their tests.

The most severe cases occurred at San Isidro, where César Alberto Panet received a suspension of 6 years and 9 months following the positive test of Cordezuelo (Filoso Emperor), who had won the first race on December 3rd. As usual, the Jockey Club does not disclose the substance in question (for reasons unknown, and inexplicable within a framework of sought-after transparency), but it can be inferred that it was something very serious. The horse will be banned from competing for 1 year and has been disqualified from the results.

Another heavy sanction was handed down there, in this case to Gustavo J. Alza, who is barred from appearing in the programs for 2 years and 6 months after a positive analysis detected in Master Spirit (Master of Hounds), winner of the tenth race on November 20th. The horse cannot be entered for 9 months.

Still at the northern track, the La Pampa-based Darío Periga was suspended for 9 months after Príncipe Soñado (Fragotero) was disqualified from first place in the Handicap Make Tracks, where the winner is now Bingo Song (Alcindor). The horse in question may only be entered again starting February 25th.

Meanwhile, César Dianda was suspended for 6 months after Ilusión Pirata (Furious Key) tested positive following a second-place debut in the fifteenth race on November 20th. The horse will also face a 2-month absence.

Finally, San Isidro reported the provisional suspensions of Abel Magín Canto for the case of Rosarito Lu (Lunático Emperor), who failed the tests after finishing second in the second race on December 28th; Roberto A. Arrativel,trainer of Don Chamuyo (John F Kennedy), winner of the fourth race on January 4th; and Luis Maximiliano Arrieta Giovanini, who signed for Río Maggio (Winning Prize)—who already had another recent case—second in the twelfth race on January 4th.

Over at Palermo—where the substance is also not reported—trainers Héctor E. Stieben, Angel D. Guillono, Luis A. Muñuz, and Mario I. Glades were provisionally suspended after their pupils La Bombonera (Portal del Alto), the 2-year-old Venus Win (Gershwin), Candy Universe (Señor Candy), and Gala Pop (Galán de Cine), respectively.

At La Plata, the harshest penalty fell upon Héctor O. Granea, who will remain inactive after traces of procaine were found in samples taken from his pupil Torrente (Mootasadir) when he finished second in the seventh race on December 16th.

Additionally, Angel Barbieri and Bautista A. Demichelis were provisionally suspended. The former presented Paisa Hit (Hit It a Bomb) in the thirteenth race on December 21st, finishing second. Meanwhile, Demichelis was provisionally sanctioned for Vasco Verdadero (Nashville Texan), winner of the eleventh race on December 18th.Clenbuterol was found in Paisa Hit, and dexamethasone in the latter.

The extra news came from Rosario, with a 3-month penalty applied to Mario R. Cabrera...

Such a high number of positives is worrying and brings two issues back to the forefront. On one hand, that racing can be conducted with safety because those who violate the rules face their sanctions. On the other, the enormous number of professionals who are, at best, imprudent and, in some cases, directly showing a lack of respect for the industry.