[Merlinsky]

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.