Pleasant Strike wins rematch

Pleasant Strike ($5.60) turned the tables on Frisky Thunder in their rematch in the $50,000 Daniel Van Clief Stakes at Colonial Downs.

Frisky Thunder, who went wire to wire to win last year's Van Clief by a half-length over Pleasant Strike, tried to duplicate the feat and looked like he might accomplish it when he opened up by eight lengths over his three rivals.

But Pleasant Strike, ridden by Rosemary Homeister, closed the gap on the backstretch, took the lead approaching the eighth pole, and drew off to win by 1 3/4 lengths.

Frisky Thunder, the 4-5 favorite, easily held second, eight lengths in front of Southwest.

The winning time for 1 1/16 miles on turf was 1:44.83.