Badlands Nitro's win in last Saturday's Cane Pace elimination at Freehold Raceway was his third consecutive victory and ninth in 12 starts this year.

He already has the Battle of the Brandywine, Art Rooney Pace and Max Hempt Memorial to his credit and more than $1.1 million in purses for trainer/co-owner George Teague Jr. and John Celii. The colt has won 15 of 20 career races.

"He does real good at winning," Teague said. "Winning horses win; losers lose. He definitely fits that description. He might not be the fanciest going in (1):47, but he does win. He chalks up a lot of wins against very capable competition and to me that's the sign of a good horse."

Badlands Nitro has never lost on a half-mile track (6-for-6) and last year equaled the World Record for two-year-olds on a five-eighths oval. In his Cane Pace elim, Badlands Nitro kept close contact with Major General and Jo Pas Wild Card before going three wide and overtaking the leaders in the stretch.

"He raced good. The trip couldn't have worked out any better," Teague said. "He does what he has to do to win. It was another great effort, I thought."

Teague also will start Rudy Rednose in the Cane Pace. Rudy Rednose has won four of 11 races this year and earned $188,986. He was second to Mccedes in the New Jersey Classic in May.

"I always thought he was fast enough to compete at the top level, so we'll see," Teague said. "He handled the half a lot better than I thought he would. He always runs in a little bit, but he's gotten better. I'm very pleased to get to the final."

(Harness Racing Communications)