Tampa Bay: Two sophomores to watch

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Outwork and Dark Nile stamped themselves as horses to watch and potential players in stakes races for 3-year-olds this spring after scoring impressive victories here at Tampa Bay Downs over the weekend.

On Saturday, Outwork improved his record to 2 for 2, scoring by 4 1/4 lengths under John Velazquez in a first-level optional $75,000 claimer going six furlongs on the main track. Outwork finished in 1:11.08 to win as the 9-5 favorite for trainer Todd Pletcher. The Uncle Mo colt, a homebred for Repole Stable, won his career debut going 4 1/2 furlongs last April at Keeneland.

On Sunday, Dark Nile won a $20,000 maiden special weight race by 3 1/2 lengths as the 7-10 favorite under Daniel Centeno, stopping the clock for one mile and 40 yards in 1:42.73. The Pioneerof the Nile filly had finished third while sprinting and encountering traffic trouble in her career debut here last month. A $135,000 purchase as a yearling at Keeneland in September 2014, Dark Nile is trained by Arnaud Delacour for WinStar Farm.