Happy 97th Birthday to the oldest living member of the HOF

[Grandstand Handicapper]

Happy Birthday to the consummate professional and class act.....Mr. Bruce Nickells

https://harnessracingupdate.com/2025/07/04/happy-birthday-to-bruce-nickells-the-senior-member-of-the-hall-of-fame/

[Trigger]

That's awesome, congrats!  Almost a centenarian, and what memory on this legend! 

If you click the article, and scroll down slowly on his picture he has a big tear in the crotch of his pants.

No harm, no foul, no dickiedo business going on!   

[Harnessfan902]

Greatest filly trainer that ever lived and true class

[Meadow Ford]

Bruce Nickells developed The Power Prompter.
Anyone know?
What it was?
What it did?
Can anyone post a picture?
There was a story with pictures in "Hoof Beats" back in the 70's about Bruce and his Power Promter.

[Bitter Truth]

Back when time trials were in vogue, they placed a replica of a horse front and head on a little sports car
to use in lieu of the T-Breds that were normally used. Saw it a couple times. Once at Delaware + I think Scioto.
It also made horse sounds too. Pretty cool.

[Meadow Ford]

A Nickells worth of triva.
What world record did Bruce's daughter Brooke hold from 1994 to 2000?

[Meadow Ford]

Back when time trials were in vogue, they placed a replica of a horse front and head on a little sports car
to use in lieu of the T-Breds that were normally used. Saw it a couple times. Once at Delaware + I think Scioto.
It also made horse sounds too. Pretty cool.

You are so right.
At the head of the strech they would drive up beside , but not ahead of the horse, and turn on the speakers. The sound of a race would come on. complete with the crack of the whips.
Du Quoin, Springfield, Lex, ETC would have many Time Trials.
 "Jiggin Joe" might have twenty catch drives for time trials.
(Who was Jiggin Joe)?

[Bitter Truth]

Strictly a guess but the Joe that comes to mind in that era would be Joe Obrien.

[Trigger]

Bitter Truth you're the Jeopardy Ken Jennings of Harness Racing trivia.

We should take you around to tracks and fairs and they pay $5 and ask a question.

I ain't never betting against your knowledge in racing even if I'm reading it from a book and it contradicts! 

[Meadow Ford]

Bret Hanover, Niatross, and Nihilater all Time Trialed.
Moni Maker had already made over 5 million before she Time Trialed.
What was the significance of her Time Trial?

[Bernie Madoff]

Bret Hanover, Niatross, and Nihilater all Time Trialed.
Moni Maker had already made over 5 million before she Time Trialed.
What was the significance of her Time Trial?

Moni Maker ended her racing career in 2000 at The Red Mile trotting a mile in 1:54 under saddle. She shattered the previous world record of 1:58.2.