Marvin Johnson, wife Christy, suspended for one year

Marvin Johnson, a prolific starter of horses in the Midwest for 40 years, has been suspended one year by the stewards at Horseshoe Indianapolis for allowing two of his horses to be administered a regulated cortisol-stimulating substance on race day, according to a ruling in the case.

Johnson’s wife, Christy, who is his assistant trainer, was also suspended for one year.

Separate rulings for both Marvin and his wife state that they “did permit” a veterinarian to administer adrenocorticotropic hormone, also known as ACTH, to the horses Justa Doll and Overthetopjustice on the morning of July 4. Both horses were entered to race that day but were scratched after the administrations were reported to the stewards. Marvin Johnson was then summarily suspended pending an investigation.

The ruling for Christy Johnson said that she was “acting as a substitute trainer” for Marvin Johnson on the day of the incident.

Marvin Johnson did not return a message left on his cell phone Thursday.

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The rulings included a recommendation from the stewards that the Indiana Horse Racing Commission review the case for “consideration of additional penalties.” Stewards in Indiana are statutorily limited to handing out a maximum one-year suspension.

Marvin and Christy Johnson were also each fined $5,000.

The injectable form of ACTH is a Class B regulated substance and, like all other medications in racing with the exception of Lasix, is not permitted to be administered on race day. The substance, which is produced naturally in the pituitary gland, stimulates the adrenal glands to release cortisol, a stress hormone.

The veterinarian who was alleged to have administered the substance, Dr. Cynthia Loomis, was also summarily suspended after the July 4 incident. The Indiana Horse Racing Commission said in response to a records request that it does not have any rulings related to Dr. Loomis.

Marvin Johnson has typically started hundreds of horses a year in the Midwest since shortly after taking out his trainer’s license in 1974. He has a career record of 2,133 wins from 13,999 starts.