The clock is not only ticking toward the arrival of the New Year but also toward the highly anticipated return to the track of the 2011 Little Brown Jug winner Big Bad John. His final start as a three-year-old is set

for New Year's Eve, Saturday, December 31 at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park.

If he's going to win the final start of his three-year-old campaign and challenge the track's three-year-old colt pace track record of 1:51.2 set by Beach Towel in 1990, Big Bad John will need to be at his best. In the seven horse field assembled for the $12,000 Open Pace, the draw luck resulted in an outside post seven verdict. Now racing from the Dan Hennessey barn at Pompano, Big Bad John certainly appears to be ready after a 1:52.1 qualifier and Wally Hennessey is slated for bike duty. The career winner of over $988,000 for Edward Telle's Winchester Baye Acres of Ocala, FL is slated for stallion duty at Midland Acres in Ohio at a future date after surpassing $1 million in career earnings.

Also on the New Year's Eve card, Dan Noble is expected to put the finishing touches on his quest for the 2011 drivers' dash title. The 28-year-old reinsman from Ohio will appear in at least three races at Pompano on the December 31 program. Going into Tuesday evening's action, Noble had amassed 764 victories on the year for a ten-win advantage on George Brennan, and Noble was scheduled for duty in 11 of 13 races on the Northfield Park program. The festivities trackside at Pompano on Saturday night include the Miami Food Trucks, free race programs, and a huge fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. after the eight race card convening at 7:15 p.m. is completed.

Brooke Nickells Returns, Wins

Brooke Nickells sure didn't take long making her impact felt upon returning from the Indiana circuit to The Winter Capital Of Harness Racing.

The 39-year-old trainer and driver now based at Anderson, Ind. made a well-timed final half move to capture a $4,000 purse conditioned trot with BKs Felon over Sea Drill in rein to Bruce Ranger and Mega Man with Ed Hensley in tow. Nickells is also the owner of the Jailhouse Jesse-Luv To Trot three-year-old gelding, who earned a 1:58 life's mark with the effort.

(Isle Pompano Park)