Colonial: Debbie Sue upsets

Debbie Sue, winless in four previous starts on turf and idle since November, overcame near-disaster to upset the $60,000 Brookmeade for Virginia-bred fillies and mares at Colonial Downs.

Ridden by Luis Garcia for trainer Hamilton Smith, the 5-year-old Debbie Sue ($36.20) had only one horse beaten in the field of 12 early and clipped heels at the three-eighths pole. She maintained her balance but lost a lot of ground. Debbie Sue recovered and rallied strongly through the stretch, took command late, and drew clear of runner-up Rumbling Girl by 1 1/4 lengths.

Smart Kiss finished third, three-quarters of a length ahead of Its Just a Dream, the 4-5 favorite.

Debbie Sue covered 1 1/16 miles over a firm course in 1:412.15.