Throbbin' Heart pulls clear in Marshua

For the second straight week, a Florida shipper captured Laurel Park's featured stakes when heavily favored Throbbin' Heart ($2.80) drew clear by 1 3/4 lengths in the $56,800 Marshua for 3-year-old fillies.

A week earlier, Vanderkaay came up from Tampa Bay Downs to capture the Dancing Count for 3-year-olds.

Ridden by Jeremy Rose for trainer Steve Asmussen, Throbbin' Heart ran down 19-1 pacesetter Kosmo's Buddy in midstretch and gradually pulled away, covering six furlongs on a fast track in 1:11.09. Throbbin' Heart had most recently dueled for the lead and faded in the Grade 2 Old Hat at Gulfstream Park.

It was the fourth win in five mounts for Rose riding for Asmussen's powerhouse stable.

"Steve's horses are pretty easy to ride. It's an honor to ride for him," Rose said. "If Asmussen goes in the race and he asks for you, you ride his horse regardless of what you have."

Throbbin' Heart, a daughter of Smoke Glacken owned by Zayat Stables, has now won 3 of 6 lifetime starts, including two stakes. She became a standout in the field of six when Affluent Lady, a 17-length winner in her career debut, was scratched.