Forever Young already has won races in three countries, and after running his record to five wins from five starts capturing the UAE Derby on Saturday at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, it is on to a fourth, the United States of America, for the Japanese 3-year-old.  The Group 2, $1.5 million UAE Derby is a key fixture in Churchill Downs’ Road to the Kentucky Derby, and the 100 qualifying points Forever Young earned Saturday assures him one of the 20 Derby starting slots.  “We are going to head to Kentucky to compete with the best dirt horses in the world,” trainer Yoshito Yahagi said through an interpreter in a televised post-race interview.  :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2024: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more The best 3-year-old dirt horses, at least, and Forever Young just might be one of them. The colt, by Real Steel out of Forever Darling, by Congrats, was an easy winner of his first three starts, all in Japan and all around two turns, the first two over 1 1/8 miles, the third at one mile. In Saudi Arabia last month, Forever Young had his first try in a one-turn contest and was all out nipping the good American gelding Book’em Danno in the Saudi Derby.  Back to two turns and out to 1 3/16 miles in the UAE Derby, Forever Young was saddled with post 11, which proved an impediment. Forever Young was asked for speed out of the gate by jockey Ryusei Sakai but was stuck three to four paths wide around the first turn while racing fifth, about four lengths behind pacesetters Oasis Boy and Auto Bahn. Kept outside and away from the kickback, Forever Young was four to five paths wide around the second turn while travelling smoothly, moving into third before the 600-meter marker.   Auto Bahn put away Oasis Boy before hitting the homestretch, with Forever Young setting out after him as the top two drew clear. Forever Young failed to change leads during the Saudi Derby stretch run but on Saturday switched just past the 400-meter marker, collaring Auto Bahn with 250 meters left and pushing out to a two-length victory. American shipper Pandagate finished decently for third, 4 1/2 lengths behind Auto Bahn.  The winning time for the 1 3/16 miles (1,900 meters) was 1:57.49, on the slow side of standard for the race during its dirt history at Meydan. Forever Young paid $3.90 on the North American tote.  Auto Bahn is listed as a 4-year-old because he was bred in the Southern Hemisphere, where he doesn’t turn 4 until this summer. The colt established himself among the best in his division this winter in Dubai, but because of his North American age isn’t eligible for the Kentucky Derby.  Forever Young raced for the first time in face-covering equipment that did not have to be declared at the time of his entry. Like a set of blinkers but with no cups attached, the headgear, Yahagi said, was intended to mitigate the effect of kickback on Forever Young.  Derma Sotogake was more visually impressive winning the 2023 UAE Derby in a far faster time than Forever Young’s and finished sixth in the Derby. But Forever Young had a more demanding trip Saturday than Derma Sotogake and might still be improving as he heads on another long journey.  “He did not travel well from Japan to Saudi Arabia, so he was not in great condition, but he still performed very well,” Yahagi said. “After travelling from Riyadh to Dubai he improved, and he has so much potential. I always have a lot of confidence in him.”  Confidence is one thing. The capability of a Japanese colt making a real dent in the Derby remains to be seen.  :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.