Desire To Excel

Boca Grande confronted post-time favorite Perfect Forest at the top of the stretch and bounded home to an impressive 1 ½-length victory in the $150,000 Comely (Grade 2) at Aqueduct, silencing her critics and marking herself as a very serious contender for the 133rd Kentucky Oaks.

The $150,000 Comely (Grade 2) at Aqueduct is New York's last major prep for the Kentucky Oaks on May 4.  For Boca Grande it is a last chance to prove to her connections she deserves a place in the starting gate at Churchill Downs three weeks from now.

SOUTHEAST/PLETCHER'S COTTON BLOSSOM WINS FLORIDA OAKS IN '07 DEBUT - Dogwood Stable's Cotton Blossom, third to champion Dreaming of Anna

Cotton Blossom made a successful return to racing action with a 2-length win in the $200,000 Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Downs, stamping herself as a serious contender for the Kentucky Oaks.