Cherokee Lord's pedigree is more blue collar than blueblood. He is one of only three stakes horses sired by Sir Cherokee, the 2003 Arkansas Derby winner, who has since been exported to the Philippines. Sir Cherokee's other black-type runners are Captain Cherokee, a multiple Grade 2-placed sprinter, and Cherry One, successful in a minor event at Sunland. Despite his sparse record at stud, Sir Cherokee wasn't badly bred himself, being a son of Cherokee Run and a half-brother to multiple Grade 2 victress Miss Isella.

Cherokee Lord is out of Sequins N' Lace, a three-time winner who ended her career at the $5,000 claiming level for trainer Charlie Livesay. She is also the dam of Lacer, runner-up in the 2005 John Henry Stakes over the Arlington Park turf.

Sequins N' Lace is by Mari's Book, a multiple stakes-placed son of Northern Dancer. Although he sired a few capable performers like multiple Grade 2 hero Double Booked, Mari's Book has made a far bigger impact as a broodmare sire. His daughters have produced two-time champion Ashado, her Grade 1-winning full brother Sunriver, and multiple Grade 1 stars Congaree and Behrens. 

Dark bay comes off a fifth place finish in the Arlington Handicap in July when making his third start of the year and has a record of 9-3-2-0 on this turf course. Son of Sir Cherokee finished fourth behind Paddy O’Prado in his one previous try in a Grade One in the Secretariat Stakes two years ago after setting the early pace. Trainer Charles Livesay has won with 10% of his runners this meet and won with one of his last seven starters in a stakes and five-year-old may be closest to the expected leader Little Mike in the early stages of this race.