Can American Soul shatter half a century of history and become the first horse with experience racing outside of North America to win the Kentucky Derby since 1976?

In the years since Bold Forbes used five races in Puerto Rico as a steppingstone on his way to victory in the run for the roses, 53 horses with experience racing in countries as far afield as France, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, and Panama have started in the Kentucky Derby. Only two have managed to record a top-three finish: Bold Arrangement (second in 1986) and Forever Young (third in 2024).

Forever Young started his career in Japan and came to the Kentucky Derby by way of Saudi Arabia and Dubai. Now a globetrotting superstar with more than $32 million in career earnings, Forever Young nearly prevailed in the Kentucky Derby, but his determined rally between rivals fell two noses shy of first place.

Trainer Yoshito Yahagi (Coglianese Photos/Susie Raisher)

Forever Young is trained by Yoshito Yahagi, and his regular rider is Ryusei Sakai. That’s the same team behind American Soul, an exciting young runner who won his first race in Japan Oct. 12.

American Soul is a son of undefeated 2022 U.S. Horse of the Year Flightline out of Exotic West, a daughter of 2007 Kentucky Derby runner-up and successful stallion Hard Spun. This quality pedigree is perhaps one reason why Yoshizawa Stable paid $1,050.000 to purchase American Soul at the 2025 Keeneland September yearling sale.

Bettors fully expected American Soul to win his debut at Kyoto in an 1,800-meter (about 1 1/8-mile) event for unraced horses. He started as the heavy favorite in a 16-horse field and delivered on expectations. Sakai allowed American Soul to race in second place before taking over and pulling away to win by three lengths in 1:53.60.

Only time will tell if American Soul can follow the same trajectory as Forever Young and contend for a victory in the Kentucky Derby. But he showed plenty of promise at Kyoto — so much that he’s taking over the #8 slot in our latest Rookie Rankings, which rank promising 2-year-old Thoroughbreds based on their potential to win the Kentucky Derby.

To make room for American Soul, we’ve removed #10 Hullabaloo Ray Ray, a Belmont Park maiden winner who remains a promising prospect.

Here’s how the latest Rookie Rankings shape up:

1. U. S. S. Valor: Since he’s skipping the Oct. 31 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by TAA, U. S. S. Valor isn’t in any rush to resume serious training, and he hasn’t posted a timed workout since winning the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes.

Owner: Team Valor International

Trainer: Shug McGaughey

Last Race: 1st, Champagne Stakes, Oct. 3

2. Hughes: The expected favorite for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile worked a quick half-mile in :47.80 on Oct. 17 at Churchill Downs, his first timed workout since shipping from California to Kentucky.

Owner: Front Row Club, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Bashor Racing, Albaugh Family Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Last Race: 1st, Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes presented by DK Horse, Oct. 3

3. Coach Pope: Worked five-eighths of a mile in 1:02.20 on Oct. 17 at Keeneland as he prepares for a start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Owner: Gainesway Stable, Shamrock Stables, and Michael J. Mackin

Trainer: Kenny McPeek

Last Race: 2nd, Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity, Oct. 3

4. Mystik Bayou: His sire, Wells Bayou, enjoyed success on the 2020 Kentucky Derby trail when winning the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby and running second in the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes.

Owner: Four G Racing, Lance Gasaway, and Daniel Hamby III

Trainer: Kenny McPeek

Last Race: 1st, Maiden Special Weight, Oct. 3

Endrush wins Sept. 10 debut (Coady Media)

5. Endrush: Exciting debut winner returned to serious training when he worked half a mile in :50.80 on Oct. 14 at Churchill Downs.

Owner: Green Lantern Stables

Trainer: Eddie Kenneally

Last Race: 1st, Maiden Special Weight, Sept. 10

6. Q B Rocket: Seems to have come out of the Breeders’ Futurity in good order and worked a solid half-mile in :48.20 on Oct. 17 at Churchill Downs.

Owner: Spendthrift Farm and Frank Fletcher Racing Operations

Trainer: Brad Cox

Last Race: 3rd, Breeders’ Futurity, Oct. 3

7. American History: Took a step toward the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile when working a fast half-mile in :47.00 on Oct. 14 at Keeneland.

Owner: WinStar Farm, First Go Racing, and CHC

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Last Race: 1st, Breeders’ Futurity, Oct. 3

8. American Soul: He could potentially follow the same path as Forever Young, aiming for the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun in December before heading to the Middle East if all goes well.

Owner: Yoshizawa Holdings Co.

Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi

Last Race: 1st, Kyoto Newcomer Maiden Special Weight, Oct. 12

Gaudreau wins his Aug. 8, 2026, debut at Saratoga (Coglianese Photos/Susie Raisher)

9. Gaudreau: In his first workout since finishing second in the Champagne Stakes, Gaudreau clocked half a mile in :48.00 on Oct. 17 at Belmont Park.

Owner: Tanglewood Thoroughbreds, Thirty Year Racing, Bradley Thoroughbreds, Rodeo Creek Racing, Laura Leigh Stable, and Swift Thoroughbreds

Trainer: Chad Brown

Last Race: 2nd, Champagne Stakes, Oct. 3

10. Salahudin: Turned in a blazing workout at Churchill Downs Oct. 13, traveling five-eighths of a mile in :58.40.

Owner: Zedan Racing Stables

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Last Race: 1st, Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes, Sept. 12