No Indiana-bred could touch Molly’s Town as a 2-year-old of 2023. Molly’s Town won his first four starts at Horseshoe Indianapolis by a combined 24 lengths, and while he took two defeats in open company, he came roaring back in his 3-year-old debut winning an open first-level allowance by a wide margin. Molly’s Town got a 95 Beyer Speed Figure for that April 2024 performance but ended his 2024 campaign with four losses. His Beyers from two starts this year: 67 and 51. Some horses develop early and burn through their competition at age 2 but flame out as their contemporaries start getting faster. Latigo didn’t even race at age 2, but the 6-year-old looks stronger than ever and figures to take the measure of Molly’s Town and whomever else shows up to face him in the $100,000 Nobody Listens Handicap on Wednesday at Horseshoe Indianapolis. A dozen were entered in the Nobody Listens, a six-furlong dirt sprint for Indiana-breds. The race is a handicap in name only with all starters carrying either 125 or 127 pounds, except for Neutron who gets in at 123. Latigo should win if he runs back to his most recent showing. That came May 19, and trainer Randy Klopp has given his gracefully aging charge five weeks, ample time, to recover from the effort. :: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now. Latigo, 10-5-2 from 19 Horseshoe Indianapolis starts, didn’t make his 2024 debut until September, scoring a sharp comeback win. Molly’s Town twice finished in front of him last fall, but Latigo following the extended break appeared to race himself into peak form. He won well in his 2024 finale and probably never has run better than he did last month in an open allowance sprint. Federal Judge, a graded stakes winner making his first start since the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, went off favored at 1-10 but came up totally empty, finishing last. Latigo pressed the pace, took over on the turn, and cruised to a 10 3/4-length victory under Joe Ramos, who has a return call and a good draw in post 9. Confirmed front-runner Goodlookinjustice, a two-time Indiana stakes winner last season, breaks from post 8. He might or might not have the speed to clear Metallic Man. If he does, Latigo sits third behind the dueling leaders. If he doesn’t, Latigo gets a good pressing trip. ◗ The Checkered Flag Handicap, a sex-restricted Indiana-bred dirt sprint, drew 11 entrants and came up considerably softer than the Nobody Listens. These horses take turns beating each other, with nobody capable of holding top form for more than a start or two. A fast pace appears likely and perhaps Three Coats, cutting back from a turf-route win but also capable on dirt, can post a late-closing upset. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.