Ike Walker Rules South Mississippi at FG
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Ike Walker took control after a quarter mile and coasted to a dominating victory in the $40,000 South Mississippi Owners and Breeders' Stakes March 6 at Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots .
After rating in fourth early, the 3-year-old son of Bellamy Road bid four- then three-wide on the turn and powered clear of opponents when shaken up in early stretch, rolling unchallenged to a 4 3/4-length triumph.
With James Graham aboard, Ike Walker covered six furlongs as the 3-5 favorite in 1:11.35 on a fast track. The race was restricted to horses in compliance with the bylaws of the South Mississippi Owners and Breeders Association.
William Dees' High Steppin Cajun was best of the rest at 37-1 odds, checking in second after missing the break and rallying from last in the nine-horse field. Don Goss's Joe Bailey, off a 32-1 odds, was three lengths back in third.
Ike Walker has two wins from seven career starts for trainer Mike Stidham. The Thrashes, residents of Hattiesburg, Miss., bought the Kentucky-bred dark bay or brown gelding out of the unraced Hold That Tiger mare Quite Familiar for $125,000 at the 2013 Keeneland September yearling sale. Breeder Buck Pond Farm as agent consigned the colt, who was eventually named for the couple's son Ike "Walker" Thrash Jr. Quite Familiar is a half sister multiple grade III winner Stream Cat from a family that includes multiple graded stakes winner and sire Mt. Livermore and French group I winner Magical Wonder.