Lexington, KY — On Sunday (Aug. 28), Rebuff returned to his victorious ways at The Red Mile in the $80,000 third-round leg of the Kentucky Championship series for sophomore male trotters in 1:51.4. The triumph also brought winning driver Tim Tetrick within two wins of 13,000 in his career.

The 12-race card also featured a $80,000 third-round Kentucky Championship event for freshman male pacers, which was annexed by Kopi Luwak, two $30,000 third-round legs of the Kentucky Commonwealth series for freshman and sophomore male trotters, and four $15,000 third-round legs of the Kentucky Golden Rod series.

Rebuff did not make his pari-mutuel appearance until the 11th race on the card. His performance, however, was well worth the wait as the son of Muscle Hill-Meucci Madness overhauled long shot Keg Stand (driven by Andy McCarthy) on the finish line to win by a nose. Branded By Lindy (Yannick Gingras) was third.

Leaving from post position two, Rebuff settled in third as Keg Stand worked to the lead. The Dan Patch Award winner remained in that position as Keg Stand clicked off fractions of :28, :56.2 and 1:24.3 with Kentucky champion Double Deceiver (David Miller) tracking in second. Tetrick provided Rebuff with rein in the stretch drive, and the duo passed a fading Double Deceiver with Keg Stand in his sights. The longtime leader was valiant in defeat, but Rebuff lived up to his name at the wire.

Rebuff returned to his winning ways on Sunday at Red Mile with a nose victory in 1:51.4 in the third round of the Kentucky Championship series. Amanda Stephens photo.

Co-owned by trainer Lucas Wallin in partnership with Kjell Magne Anderson and Pieter Delis, Rebuff now sports a resume of 16-8-2-1 and boosted his bankroll to $623,270. The colt was bred by Steve Stewart and Michael Andrew. He is a half-sibling to dual New York Sire Stakes champion Non Stick (Lucky Chucky, $587,890) and sold for $200,000 at the 2020 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.

Rebuff paid $3.52 to win.

Kopi Luwak also provided his supporters with some anxious moments, but the son of Stay Hungry-Auniqueaquistion got up in time to defeat Bamboozler (Dexter Dunn) by a nose in 1:49.2. Command (Todd McCarthy) was third.

The colt broke his maiden in his third trip to the gate after second-place finishes in his two previous starts. Kopi Luwak made his debut on July 15 at the Meadowlands in a $20,000 first-round leg of the Kindergarten series and was second by a neck to Blue Lou, who was also in this field, in the first round of the Championship series on Aug. 7.

Bred by Steve Stewart and John Carver, Kopi Luwak is trained by Tony Alagna, and was purchased for $160,000 at the 2021 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale by Brad Grant and Steve Heimbecker. Kopi Luwak has now earned $65,000 with a record of 3-1-2-0. He paid $9.62 to win.

Tetrick and Miller collected three wins apiece on the card.

Sire stakes action continues at The Red Mile on Monday (Aug. 29) and Tuesday (Aug. 30). First post is 1 p.m. EDT.