Frisky Thunder keeps rolling

Six scratches, a solid pace in front of him, and 3-5 favorite Pleasant Strike still went down to another defeat, beaten a half-length by Frisky Thunder in the $60,000 Daniel Van Clief Stakes at Colonial Downs.

While Pleasant Strike now has lost eight straight races dating to his good win last summer in the Arlington Classic, Frisky Thunder is headed the other direction. A 4-year-old Thunder Rumble gelding trained by James Murphy for owner Braeburn Farm, Frisky Thunder has won three straight races at three different distances, ranging from 5 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/8 miles.

The Van Clief was run over 1 1/16 miles on firm turf, and Frisky Thunder took the lead from the start under Eric Camacho. He went a half-mile in a solid 47.45 seconds, which seemed quick enough, and Pleasant Strike ranged up to challenge at the top of the stretch, but Frisky Thunder held firm, staving off the favorite.

Frisky Thunder was timed in 1:43.52 and paid $5.60 to win.