Trainer Marvin Johnson, vet suspended by stewards at Horseshoe Indianapolis
Trainer Marvin Johnson has been summarily suspended by stewards at Horseshoe Indianapolis as has a veterinarian he employs, Dr. Cynthia Loomis.
Johnson confirmed in a phone interview Wednesday that the suspension relates to the possibility that Loomis treated one of his horses on Monday, the same day the horse was entered to race. Race-day treatments other than Lasix are prohibited. Both Johnsons runners were scratched Monday, and Johnson said racing officials took the two horses to the receiving barn to have blood drawn for testing.
The summary suspensions were issued pending the conclusion of an ongoing investigation by the Indiana Racing Commission into the matter, Indiana state steward Erik Smith said Wednesday. Smith said he could provide no details regarding the investigation but confirmed that a hearing regarding potential violations won’t be scheduled until the investigation has been completed. Johnson and Loomis can request in writing a hearing challenging the summary suspension itself but as of Wednesday neither party had done so, Smith said.
The summary suspensions appeared Wednesday on the Association of Racing Commissioners International website’s “Recent Rulings” page after being issued by the Indiana Racing Commission. The rulings state that Johnson and Loomis are “summarily suspended for actions not in the best interest of racing and which compromise the integrity of operations at a racetrack.” The summary suspensions span July 4 to Dec. 31, but those dates are placeholders pending the results of the investigation and any consequent ruling.
Johnson, 67, began training in 1974 and has 33 horses stabled at Horseshoe Indianapolis. His horses can continue to train but can’t be entered as long as they’re trained or owned by Johnson, who is denied access to the racetrack and stabling area. Johnson as of Tuesday was tied for second in the Horseshoe Indianapolis trainer standings with 18 winners from 94 runners. On June 29, Johnson-trained horses swept two $100,000 Indiana-bred races, Nobody Listens winning the Brickyard Stakes by six lengths, Hungarian Princess the Checkered Flag Stakes by 4 1/2 lengths.
Johnson said he was “outside the barn in my golf cart” during the time of any potential improper interaction between vet and horse.
“I wasn’t there when all that happened,” he said. “I don’t know if the horse was treated or not.”
Loomis has done veterinary work on Johnson’s horses for more than two years.
“I really trust her judgement,” Johnson said. “I can’t elaborate other than that. I want to cooperate 100 percent. I’m not blaming anybody. I just want due process and to be able to tell my side of the story.”