Cicada was bred by Mrs. M. N. Sarian, owned by Meadow Stable, and trained by J. H. Hayes. She was voted champion two-year-old filly in 1961, champion three-year-old filly in 1962, and champion handicap filly or mare in 1963. As a two-year-old she won such stakes races as the Gardenia, Friette, Astarita, Matron, Spinaway, Schuylerville, National Stallion Stakes (Filly Division), and the Blue Hen. In her three-year-old year, she captured the Jersey Belle, Beldame, Mother Goose, Acorn, Kentucky Oaks, and the Oaks Prep. She returned as a four-year-old and was victorious in the Sheepshead Bay Handicap, Vagrancy Handicap, Distaff Handicap, and the Columbiana Handicap.