Stewards suspend jockey McMahon for 30 days after failed drug test

Jockey CJ McMahon was suspended Oct. 10 for 30 days by stewards at Indiana Grand because of a positive drug test.

McMahon has ridden only two horses at this Indiana Grand meet, but was drug tested when he had one mount on Sept. 26. A ruling issued by Indiana Grand stewards said his test came back positive for methamphetamine at a level of 380 nanograms per milliliter of urine, and positive for THC at 14.1 nanograms per milliliter. THC is a chemical compound in cannabis. Methamphetamine positives can occur from ingesting various substances, including over-the-counter medications.

McMahon’s suspension began Oct. 10 and runs through Nov. 8. He must pass a drug test before he can ride again. His agent, Joe Santos, said McMahon plans to resume riding at Churchill when the suspension ends. McMahon was taken off mounts at Keeneland this week because of the Indiana suspension.

McMahon has 798 wins from 5,025 mounts in a career dating to 2011. McMahon won more than 200 races in both 2015 and 2016, but is just 49 for 599 this year. He moved his tack to Gulfstream Park this summer but went only 5 for 84 there.