Sweet Nola won a $24,000 starter optional claimer at Tampa Bay Downs yesterday, making it two victories in the space of 12 days at the Oldsmar track for the 5-year-old mare by First Dude, who has now had seven winners in the last 21 days.

    Samuel Marin was aboard Sweet Nola for the 1 1/16-mile trip and sent the mare bred by Frank Mermenstein and Tom McCrocklin right to the lead. She continued on in front for the entire trip, winning by 3 1/4 lengths in 1:44.96 and earning a check for $14,730 for owner/trainer Juan Arriagada. In her previous score, she raced seven furlongs in a sizzling 1:22.47 and collected $14,000. She’s now 5-5-1 in 25 starts with a bank account of $88,254.