Get ready — the road to the 2027 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve is about to take several major turns.

Three Kentucky Derby qualifiers are on the agenda this Saturday: the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita Park, the Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland, and the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park.

These three races could feature several of the promising 2-year-old Thoroughbreds in this week’s Rookie Rankings. First and foremost exciting maiden winners U. S. S. Valor (#1) and Gaudreau (#4) were entered in the Champagne.

The Champagne marks the second showdown between U. S. S. Valor and Gaudreau. They both debuted Aug. 8 in a maiden special weight sprint at Saratoga Race Course, in which Gaudreau finished first and U. S. S. Valor rallied for third place, beaten only three-quarters of a length. U. S. S. Valor subsequently dominated another maiden special weight sprint at Saratoga by 13 1/4 lengths.

You can expect to see some major shakeups in the Rookie Rankings next Monday. In the meantime, they haven’t changed much from last week.

If the Rookie Rankings were based on potential to be voted 2026 champion 2-year-old male, we would lower unbeaten Grade 1 Spendthrift Hopeful Stakes winner The Good Life (#5) following the news that he’ll be out of training for 30 days and will miss the Oct. 31 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

But a small setback at this time of year isn’t necessarily problematic for a Kentucky Derby contender. Remember American Pharoah, for whom the American Pharoah Stakes is named? He missed the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile with a foot issue, but that didn’t stop him from sweeping the 2015 Triple Crown. Since the Rookie Rankings are based on potential to win the Kentucky Derby, we’re leaving The Good Life at #5 for the time being.

We have, however, dropped flashy maiden winner Inshallah. Ranked #8 last week, Inshallah hasn’t recorded a timed workout since Sept. 5, so his status is up in the air.

To fill the gap, Yacht Master (#10) has joined the list. Conditioned by six-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert, Yacht Master debuted on Sunday in a maiden special weight sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs at Churchill Downs. After sticking close to a solid pace, he rallied gamely up the inside to prevail by a head.

Here’s how the complete Rookie Rankings stack up:

1. U. S. S. Valor: Finished strongly in his maiden win and should relish stretching out to one mile in the Champagne.

Owner: Team Valor International

Trainer: Shug McGaughey

Last Race: 1st, Maiden Special Weight, Sept. 5

2. Hughes: Worked five-eighths of a mile in 1:00.80 on Sunday and could turn up in the American Pharoah Stakes.

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 Del Mar Futurity, Sept. 6

Dominant maiden winner Coach Pope (Coady Media)

3. Coach Pope: Two weeks after recording his first victory by 12 1/2 lengths, Coach Pope worked half a mile in :48.20, suggesting he’s a candidate for the Breeders’ Futurity.

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

Trainer: Kenny McPeek

Last Race: 1st, Maiden Special Weight, Sept. 12

4. Gaudreau: Beat U. S. S. Valor and Coach Pope in his Aug. 8 debut, but hasn’t raced since and must demonstrate he’s improved as much as U. S. S. Valor to maintain his edge in the Champagne.

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

Trainer: Chad Brown

Last Race: 1st, Maiden Special Weight, Aug. 8

5. The Good Life: Out of training at the moment, but remains a talented prospect with a promising future.

Owner: WinStar Farm, First Go Racing, and CHC

Trainer: Brad Cox

Last Race: 1st, Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes, Sept. 6

Churchill Downs maiden winner Endrush (Coady Media)

6. Endrush: Clocked the final quarter-mile of his maiden win in an excellent :23.94 per the Equibase GPS result chart.

Owner: Green Lantern Stables

Trainer: Eddie Kenneally

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

7. Q B Rocket: Sharp five-furlong workouts in recent weeks suggest he could be ready for a return to action in the Breeders’ Futurity.

Owner: Spendthrift Farm and Frank Fletcher Racing Operations

Trainer: Brad Cox

Last Race: 1st, Maiden Special Weight, Aug. 15

8. Salahudin: Just two weeks after winning the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes, Salahudin worked a blazing half-mile in :46.20. Could the Breeders’ Futurity be next?

Owner: Zedan Racing Stables

Trainer: Bob Baffert

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

9. Imperial Honor: You have to respect how Imperial Honor won his debut at 5 1/2 furlongs even though he’s bred to shine running one mile or farther.

Owner: Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Last Race: 1st, Maiden Special Weight, Sept. 7

10. Yacht Master: Raced professionally in his debut and showed determination to push his head across the finish line first.

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

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Last Race: 1st, Maiden Special Weight, Sept. 27