Forestry’s talented 2-year-old colt Whiskey Romeo overcame a stumble at the start to win the $101,500 Marylander S. Dec. 1 at Laurel Park. The winner took the James F. Lewis III S. three weeks ago at Laurel, and is one of six 2012 black-type winners by Forestry. The Taylor Made stallion’s leading horse this year is Shackleford, who capped his brilliant career with a victory last week in the Grade 1 Clark H. at Churchill Downs.

Going seven furlongs for the first time, the bay colt almost lost Stewart Elliott coming out of the gate, but quickly righted himself and was in front by a length after a quarter mile in :23.04. He opened up three lengths around the turn, and with Elliot gearing down late, he handled Amerigo Vespucci by 2-1/4 lengths. Whiskey Romeo covered the distance in 1:25.10 on a fast track.

“He was standing great at the gate. I think he just broke so sharp he just lost his foot, “said Elliott. “I was really impressed the way he recovered and still took me to the lead without even trying. Once that happened, he was on his way. I had plenty of horse. He can run.”

“It’s pretty obvious he’s a talented colt,” trainer Tony Dutrow echoed. “He faced adversity today which was great because all of them are going to be exposed to that sooner or later but we are happy because he didn’t have any trouble going seven furlongs and we can go forward with his ability to get more than six furlongs.”

Whiskey Romeo has now earned $147,000 in his unblemished career. Out of the two-time stakes winner Yoursmineours, Whiskey Romeo is a half-brother to 2011 Arlington-Washington Futurity (G3) winner Shared Property.