After the Auction: Milam

As an avid fan of sales with possible aspirations to become an adviser/bloodstock agent, auctions are one of my favorite topics to write about on Past the Grandstand. “After the Auctions” feature horses I selected in sales that have found success after the sale. *Note: If an “After the Auction” features a two-year-old, it will also be listed as a “Juvenile Spotlight.”

UPDATE 2/22/14: Congratulations to Milam on her 8-length win in the Pica Slew Stakes!

As a yearling, Milam’s presence and athletic conformation caught my eye via a live feed during the 2012 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Appearing able-bodied, the filly joined my list of “eye-catchers” from the large auction’s fifth session, in which she sold for $95,000. Less than a year later, she debuted at Ellis Park, winning first time out.

For trainer Eddie Kenneally, Milam was sent off as the second choice in an eight-horse field of juvenile fillies going six furlongs at the Henderson, Kentucky track. Exiting the gate from the inside post, Milam charged forward along the rail to seize a clear lead, racing two lengths clear of her nearest rival – the favorite, J J Julep – down the backstretch. Taking a slight breather around the far turn, Milam allowed that competitor to collar her, even permitting J J Julep to earn a slight advantage over her.

But Milam’s turn of foot proved to be too much for J J Julep and as the two led the other fillies into the homestretch, Milam began to kick clear and under strong encouragement from Eclipse Award-winning jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr., she coasted away from her opponent, easily drawing off to a 3 ¾-length victory.

Pedigree Analysis

Milam is a daughter of champion Street Sense, 2007 Kentucky Derby (GI) victor. Since entering stud in 2008, Street Sense has proven to be a tremendous sire of fillies, siring the grade one-winning  filly Aubby K, the graded stakes-winning filly Unlimited Budget, and the additional stakes-winning females Ice Cream Silence, Sensible Lady, and Silverette. Street Sense is a son of the spectacular stallion Street Cry, who is perhaps best known for siring the great champion Zenyatta. Including Street Sense and Zenyatta, Street Cry has produced an astounding thirteen grade/group one winners.

Out of the Forestry mare Autumnal, Milam is provided with the same maternal grandsire as four-time grade one winner Turbulent Descent, as well as the graded stakes-winning Magical Feeling. Forestry is a son of the legendary sire Storm Cat, whose many successes included serving as the broodmare sire of a multitude of grade one winners, including Bodemeister, Close Hatches, Drill, In Lingerie, Lord Kanaloa, Love and Pride, Sidney’s Candy, and Speightstown.

Milam’s fourth dam, the stakes-placed Passing Look, was a terrific broodmare, producing the likes of the grade one-winning Trumpet’s Blare, the graded stakes-winning Passing Vice, the multiple stakes-winning In My Cap (Milam’s third dam), amd the Turkish stakes winner Past Master. Passing Look is also the fourth dam of recent Virginia Derby (GII) winner War Dancer and the third dam of the grade one-winning sire Albert the Great.