Debbie Sue scores second straight win

Debbie Sue, returning on just two weeks' rest off a win in a high-priced optional claiming race, rallied from far back to win the $60,000 Brookmeade for Virginia-bred fillies and mares at Colonial Downs.

Sent off at 6-5 under Malcolm Franklin, Debbie Sue was seventh in the field of eight on the backstretch, advanced to third entering the stretch, then split rivals and won going away by 4 1/2 lengths.

Trick Buster, the longest shot on the board at 41-1, fought for the lead, opened a 4 1/2-length advantage in the stretch, and held on for second, a half-length in front of Deeliteful Star.

Trained by Hamilton Smith for Fred and Deborah and Greene, Debbie Sue ran the mile on the firm inner turf course in 1:36.81. She paid $4.20, and topped a $164 exacta.

The win was the 7-year-old mare's sixth in 31 starts, and it raised her lifetime earnings to $359,565.