Caviar Czar is the only horse in the race making his turf debut. Dam was a stakes-placed turf runner imported from France.
More importantly, his second dam, Love Me True is the dam of the 2013 Epsom Derby winner, Ruler of The World as well as 2008 Champion older horse Duke of Marmalade (Juddmonte International, King George, Prince of Wales's, etc.).
Fourth dam is uber-broodmare Lassie Dear (A.P. Indy, Summer Squall, Lemon Drop Kid, Honor Grades, etc.).
Caviar Czar's sire, Medaglia d'Oro, in addition to siring slow 3yo fillies (Rachel Alexandra, Elate, Songbird, Plum Pretty) has sired numerous Grade 1 turf winners and overseas champions. He himself was by top turf stallion El Prado (Kitten's Joy, Artie Schiller, Timo, etc.).
Caviar Czar had two blistering works over the Belmont turf course in June, both bullets at 1/2 mile. Not sure what the delay was making his turf debut, but last race was off-the-turf. John Velasquez opts for this over stablemate Master Plan.
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