Speedster vs. closer in Calloway

ELMONT, N.Y. - The excitement surrounding Sunday's $250,000 Cab Calloway at Belmont Park was lost when Grey Comet, who stood to earn a $100,000 bonus for his owners if he won the race, fractured a leg in a workout last week and was euthanized.

The inaugural running of the 1 1/16-mile Cab Calloway, a race restricted to the progeny of New York stallions, drew a weak field of six 3-year-old males.

Bo Bo's Vice is already proven at the distance, but earned a meager Beyer Speed Figure of 56 when he won a restricted maiden race at 1 1/16 miles over a good track at Belmont May 21. Bo Bo's Vice, a son of Raffie's Majesty, came from the back of the pack and made a quick move in the stretch. He motored home a 3 3/4-length winner.

"I think he is pretty talented," said Jim Bond, Bo Bo's Vice's trainer. "That was a good race - he just galloped in the mud. He's mentally really in the game right now."

Jorge Chavez rides Bo Bo's Vice, who drew post 6.

Sway of Passion, who won a restricted first-level allowance race by seven lengths in the slop here on May 23, could be a threat if he can stretch his speed.

Sway of Passion, who earned a Beyer Figure of 90 for the effort, has never been tested beyond six furlongs, but might be able to control the pace. Linda Rice trains Sway of Passion, whose chances would improve with a wet track, which seems likely.

Jose Santos rides Sway of Passion from post 2.

High Priced, Cape Pogue, Thanasi, and Jet Alert complete the field.

The $250,000 Statue of Liberty, a New York Stallion series race for 3-year-old fillies on Sunday's card, attracted a better field.

In the Statue of Liberty, also run at 1 1/16 miles, Beautiful America will try to atone for back-to-back losses as the favorite.

Beautiful America, last year's champion 2-year-old New York-bred filly, will face nine others.

Beautiful America finished third in her first start of the year, an open allowance race at Aqueduct on April 10. In the Park Avenue on April 27 at Aqueduct, Beautiful America was a troubled fourth and was beaten 3 1/2 lengths by the winner, Hanselina, who also is entered in the Statue of Liberty.

"She had a lot of trouble," said Mike Hernandez, Beautiful America's trainer. "She had to go in between horses and when she got out, it was too late. It was disastrous.'

Santos, Beautiful America's regular rider, rides from post 3.

Hot Golden Jet, who he has two career wins and two seconds for trainer Jimmy Jerkens, looks like Beautiful America's biggest threat. Hot Golden Jet, a daughter of A. P Jet, finished second in her stakes debut in the Park Avenue and races with blinkers on in the Statue of Liberty.

After the Park Avenue, Hanselina ran back in the Bouwerie and was beaten 21 lengths