Luke McLuke was a bayThoroughbred stallion born in the United States; he won the 1914Belmont Stakes, the Carlton Stakes, Kentucky Handicap, and Grainger Memorial Handicap among his four wins from six starts. After his racing career was over, he became a breeding stallion, where he sired 11 stakes winners. Two of his daughters were named as year-end Champions in the United States.
Breeding and background
Luke McLuke's sire was Ultimus, and his dam was an imported mare named Midge, a daughter of the English Thoroughbred Trenton. Midge's dam was another imported mare named Sandfly by the English stallion Isonomy. Ultimus was inbred to Commando, as both his sire and dam were sired by Domino. Ultimus never raced, however. Luke McLuke was bred by James R. Keene at Castleton Stud, but was sold, along with the entire stock of the 1911 foal crop, in 1912 as yearlings. He was originally bought as part of a group lot of all 16 of the colts, bought by William A. Prime for $25,000, who promptly turned around sold the horses to Edward R. Bradley. Bradley then auctioned them off for a total of $57,650 shortly after purchasing them. John W. Schorr of Memphis, Tennessee, bought Luke McLuke for $1,700. Although unraced as a two-year-old, Luke McLuke raced as a three-year-old for Schorr. In Schorr's ownership, the stallion won the Belmont Stakes. Luke McLuke was expected to be a sprinter, as his breeding, especially on his sire's side, was mostly raced at shorter distances.
Racing career
Luke McLuke won the Belmont on June 20, 1914, carrying and with Merritt Buxton as his jockey. He earned a total of $3025 for the win. The time for the race was 2 minutes and 20 seconds, beating Gainer and Charlestonian. On June 30, 1914, he ran in the Carleton Stakes, which was a -long race for three-year-olds. He earned $5,125 for the win, which was made in 1 minute 38 and seconds. Luke McLuke carried in the race and his jockey was Merritt Buxton. He beat Charlestonian again, as well as Stromboli and Figinny. He also won the Kentucky Handicap and Grainger Memorial Handicap that year. The Grainger was a race for three-year-olds and up, at a distance of and was run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Luke McLuke carried in the race, and was ridden by Andy Neylon for the win. Second place was Rudolfo and third went to Solar Star. The win earned him $11,500, and the winning time was 2 minutes and 2 and seconds. Luke McLuke was trained by Schorr's son, John F. Schorr. Luke McLuke's race wins in 1914 helped make the elder Schorr the leading owner for 1914, the second time he had earned that title. The younger Schorr was the leading trainer in 1914, the first time he topped that list. The stallion's overall racing record was four wins in six starts with one second and one third. His total earnings on the racetrack were $22,050.
