Props to Contrive
 

I know we're busy talking about things like the Breeders' Cup performers themselves and maybe their immediate sires and dams, but I wanted to make sure to give Contrive credit for her genetic contribution in 2020.

Being the dam of 2005 BC Juvenile Fillies winner/Eclipse Champion Folklore, the filly we all know kicked off the recently pensioned Tiznow's excellent career as a sire, would be enough, but this year she's the 2nd dam (via G3P daughter Delightful Quality) of 2020 BC Juvenile winner Essential Quality, and 3rd dam (through Folklore) of 2002 Japanese Triple Crown winner Contrail.

We lost Contrive in 2016, but that family's active and Contrive's had quite a year as a linchpin through different daughters. Folklore's got a 2020 colt by Arrogate (Unbridled's Song is the broodmare sire of Contrail), and also Folklore's current 2yo colt is by Frosted, similarly bred to Essential Quality. Delightful Quality has a yearling by Uncle Mo (with his own BC champ in Golden Pal who has, drumroll please, a son of Unbridled's Song for a broodmare sire in Midshipman).

Kinda excited to see what happens in the next year or so with this female family at the track and sales. Thank you for bearing with this pedigree nerd out. The work on these crosses is really bearing out. Well done, Contrive, and RIP.

In addition, Tiz Plan (out of Amusing Plan) won a Group 2 in August in South Korea.

Contrive is also 2nd of 3rd dam of 4 other maiden special weight winners in 2020:

A pair of 2yos, Inner Ghost and Gramercy (both of whom didn't step up against stakes horses)

A pair of 3yos, Cherokee Maiden and Extra Attention.

On Sunday, Bob Baffert unveils 2yo Savile Row (out of Miss Moon) in a maiden special weight at Del Mar.

Savile Row won his sprint debut.

Hopefully Baffert doesn't wheel him back in the Remsen or KY Jockey Club in desperation of having an early Derby prospect (see Classier).

Cherokee Maiden just sold for $1.85 mil at Keeneland on Nov 9. They hit the highlights of that family including the latest developments you mentioned. :) You'll hear other names brought up with Contrive referred to indirectly, but we know what's up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WTTdNd_MtM