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, 1 j STORY OF THE RACING THAT EARNED FAME FOR BIG LUKE McLUKE 4 ; ; 4, One of the outstanding figures in the racing of 1014 was John W. Schorrs three-year-old colt, Luke McLuke. He was a veritable whale of a horse in size and likewise a whale of a race horse. He was tcs big and undeveloped to be raced as a two-year-old, so his measure of fame was achieved when a three-year- i oiu, and it was no small measure. It Is really one of the regrettable features of the years campaign that he did not remain sound long enough to meet the eastern star, Roamer, when at the top of his form. One trouble Willi the over-sized race horse is that the impact of his big body is so great when running fast that it is more liable to leg trouble than is the smaller type of horse. Luke McLuke could run as flies the wind, but six races was sufficient to develop weakness in a tendon sheath and he had to be sent into enforced retirement as early as in the month of June. Thus it came about that his career in racing was as brief as it was brilliant. Naturally it is hoped that he will come back to the races next year able to. race, soundly and effectively, but it is a doubtful proposition. Sucli a gross customer will be hard to fit for racing again after accumulating surplus flesh to be worked off in training. His first start was in a purse race for three-year-olds, at a mile and twenty yards over the Churchill J -owns track, May 13. Rumors as to his having done fast work in training sufficed to make him the favor-le, but he "ran green" and, not comprehending exactly what was required from him, dropped back in the early running, thin came fast through the homestretch, but only fast enough to land second to Constant, which won by three lengths in 1:41, while Luke McLuke defeated Brickley by a head for second money, Robinetta, Bracktown Eelle and Iridescence being the unplaced ones. This race was educational, and that the big colt had thoroughly digested its lesson was amply demonstrated in another purse race, over the same track, May 30. The distance this time was a mile and a sixteenth and, Constant having beaten him In his first race, was logically enough made the favorite, but Constant, while a useful colt, did not belong in the same street with Luke McLuke. Taking the lead at once and showing wonderful speed, he led Constant by eight lengths at the end of the first mile, run in 1:3S, and finally won pulling up in 1:45 by a length and a half. Both colts curried 105 pounds and Bracktown Belle finished third. Ivan Gardner, Lady Errant, Iridescence, Decathlon and Buck Keenon ran unplaced. Greater things than purse r,accs were in store and right at hand for the colt. The second running ofi the rich Kentucky Handicap, with its 0,000 added, took place at Douglas Park, May 23, and a great throng was present to view its decision. The distance was a mile and a quarter and the starters and weights were: Luke McLuke, 100 pounds: Rudolfo, 117; Solar Star, 105; Samuel R. Meyer, 107; Goweli, 10S; Hodge, 105; Belloc, 100: Clubs, 111; Donerall, 111. and G. M. Miller, 104. being the picked ones of the western Handicap division. There was something in the way Luke McLuke had won his last race serving to create the impression of a vast store of mircvealed speed in reserve and this operated to make him the favorite fcr the big race, he going to the post at 235 to 100 in the mutnes, Dorerail being second choice at a shade more than 5 to 1. Showing a great, but not lasting, burst of speed. Solar Star at once flew into the lead and covered the first quarter in 23 and the first half in 40. But Luke McLuke was swinging along in close pursuit and, when squared away on the backstretch, moved up into the lead with giant strides and was in front by two lengths at the half-mile post. At the end o the first mile, which was covered in the excessively fast time of 1:37, he was leading by four lengths. The severity of the pace told its tae and he unquestionably tired somewhat in the last quarter. But, holding on to his task with the unflagging resolution of tho true thoroughbred, he maintained his pride of place aud swept home a gallant victor in 2:02, not only a new track record, but also the fastest mile and a quarter ever run over a western race track. Rudolfo had won this race the year previous and but for the presence of Luke McLuke in this years contest would have repeated the feat. As it was, he had to be content with second place, but was only beaten by a length and himself ran a remarkable race. Solar Star was third, three lengths farther back, and acquitted himself nobly. The race was pf the net value of 1,500 to the winner. The colt was now iaken east and did not race any more in the west. Ills next start was in tho 0,090 International Derby, at Dorval Park, June 13. Coupled with his stable mate. David Craig, ho was second , choice in the betting to A. Turneys colt. Waterbass, being at S to 5, -while it was 0 to 5 Waterbass. For , one reason and another three-year-olds which had been expected to contend for the race were absentees and , only five started, they being David Craig. 124 pounds; Gainer, 122; Luke McLuke, 127: Waterbass, 324. 4 ami Black Broom. 119. Waterbass gave the impression that his favoritism was well justified by racing out into such a decided lead that he was soon out by himself five lengths In front of his closest pursuer.. But unexpectedly he quit on the backstretch and at the end of a strenuous drive through the homestretch ; David Craig -won from Gainer by a length. Luke McLuke was not on good terms with himself that day : and bolting to the outside soon after the-sttirt, was speedily last aud obstinately remained there until ho had turned into the homestretch. Th.cnHhorb.egan to run in earnest and. coming on with a great flight of , speed, landed in third place, with a somewhat tarnished reputation. He was six lengths behind Gainer : and the mile and a quarter of the race was covered in 2:0S. From Montreal he was taken to New York and there, at Belmont Park. June 20. made a show of , Gainer and proved conclusively how untrue his running In the big Dorval Park race had been. This was in riie time-honored Belmont Stakes, for three-year-olds, at a mile and three-eighths. Only three started Luke McLuke and Gainer. 12G pounds each, and Charlestonlan, 123. There was no decided choice in the betting but at post time Gainer was the favorite at S to 5, while it was 9 to 5 against Luke McLuke and . " to 1 Charlestonian. The latter was allowed to set the pace, but at the end of the first mile Luke McLuke p:sed him in a flash and, drawing far away, won in a canter by eight lengths in 2:20. while Gainer defeated Charlestonlan by a half length for second money. There was no ignoring this exhibition of his real form so when he came out at Aqueduct, June 30, to race for the Carlton Stakes, at a mile, he was a sol-idlv-backcd favorite at 0 to 5, although asked to concede thirteen pounds to such a proved good colt as ; Stroinboi The starters were Luke McLuke. 120 pounds: Stromboli, 113: Charlestonian. 123. and Figinny. ill and they finished in that order. Butwell. on Stromboli. set out to make the most of his mounts advantage in the weights and sent him the first quarter in 23. first half in 40 and the three-quarters In This was fast running, but It made no impression on the big Schorr colt. Plodding along soberlv iv the side of Stromboli and answering stride for stride, he moved out irresistibly in the last eighth and won by a length In 1:38. Stromboli defeated Charlestonian by two lengths for second pace. Lameness the-i developed and its unfortunate interveiitiiin interrupted what would otherwise probably have proved a career in racing of extraordinary character. Thus he went into retirement with the following record and pedigree: Ypir A"e- Sts- lst 2nd- 3rd- UnP- Won. iOli 3 0 -4 1 1 0 . 2,050 Hitnyar Alarm f Domino Command. ,...J, Manuie Gray j Em.uircr Uarebin J The Peer l T, Lmt"a C r,urline, Guenu J Flood Ultimus f Glendew j. ja ... r Himyar j Alarm I f Domino J 1 nira i.3 I c, Mannie Gray j Enquirer H o Run. Stream. .. - Lizzie G. S Isonomv J Sterling a , , . g L Dancing Water ... J 1 Isola Bella 5 Pretty Dance j Doncaster ; S 2 - I Highland Fling ; Hfi Toxopholite J Longbow 1 W j- I Musket J Legerdemain g2 ronton J Daughter of j SS-"- I j LaiUy Ooldsbrough 5 v Flora Mclvor i New Warrior . -Midge . I io - C vm. tMm .-!:,, 1 Oxford i f Isonomy j Whisper ; . I Sandfly ....... J hsola Bella ....... j ftockwell - Doncaster J stockwell L Sandiway I Marigold Clemenco j Ne-mi,ister j 1 Eulogy
