Familiar foes clash again

Defending champion Frisky Thunder and Pleasant Strike renew their rivalry in the $50,000 Daniel Van Clief, a 1 1/16-mile turf stakes at Colonial Downs restricted to Virginia-breds.

Frisky Thunder defeated Pleasant Strike by a half-length in last year's race for one of his 3 wins in 4 starts in 2008. He tuned up for this spot by holding on by a neck, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Pleasant Strike, in a 7 1/2-furlong allowance on Delaware Park's turf on May 23.

Pleasant Strike was also making his first start of the season in that race. He was the beaten favorite at 3-5 in last year's Van Clief.

The seven-horse field also includes Southwest. Fifth in last year's Virginia Derby after a troubled trip, Southwest missed by a head in his first start of the year in a high-priced optional claimer at Delaware.