In this biweekly series, racing analyst J. Keeler Johnson offers a glimpse into the world of promising horses. Through his handicapping watch list, he reviews runners that have recently piqued his interest and previews those scheduled to run in the near future. Let's delve into the details of some of these notable steeds.

Calling Card: A Dirt Dominator

Photo: Adam Coglianese / NYRAIn Sunday's Aqueduct race 9, Calling Card showcased his remarkable talent on dirt. This New York-bred juvenile, sired by Champagne (G1) winner Complexity and out of a mare by two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic conqueror Tiznow, initially made his mark on turf with a fifth-place finish in a 5 1/2-furlong sprint at Saratoga. However, he took a significant step forward with a second-place finish in a 1 1/16-mile contest at Aqueduct. But it was his switch to dirt for a one-mile maiden special weight against New York-breds that truly stunned. Launching a sweeping rally from nearly 10 lengths off the early pace, he crushed his competition by an astonishing 17 1/4 lengths in a sharp time of 1:36.36, earning a respectable 87 Beyer Speed Figure. David Grening of Daily Racing Form reports that Calling Card could now be on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, either in the Remsen (G2) or the Jerome at Aqueduct. This makes him a horse to watch closely.The ability of Calling Card to adapt and perform exceptionally well on different surfaces highlights his potential. His pedigree suggests a strong genetic foundation, and his recent performances on dirt have been nothing short of impressive. It will be interesting to see how he progresses in the upcoming races and if he can live up to the expectations set by his remarkable debut on dirt.

Ultra Power: A Talent with Upside

For Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, Ultra Power has shown flashes of significant talent. This beautifully bred son of Curlin out of two-time champion Unique Bella first caught eyes in a seven-furlong maiden special weight at Los Alamitos in September 2023, winning by four lengths. A subsequent sixth-place finish on turf in the Qatar Golden Mile was followed by a 10-month layoff. But when he made his belated 3-year-old debut in an Aug. 31 $40,000 allowance optional claimer racing one mile at Del Mar, he made a great impression, winning easily by seven lengths.In his latest effort, Ultra Power charged hard to finish third by a neck in a 1 1/16-mile $80,000 allowance optional claimer at Santa Anita. While he may not be the favorite for Saturday's 1 1/8-mile Native Diver (G3) at Del Mar due to the step up in class, his upside remains evident. He has the potential to put everything together and mature into the graded-stakes star his pedigree suggests he can be. His performances so far have shown that he has the ability to compete at a high level and continue to surprise.

More Than Looks: A G1 Winner Retires

Fresh off a stretch-running win in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), More Than Looks has decided to retire from racing. He will stand for a stud fee of $15,000 at Lane’s End in 2025. This talented horse has left a mark on the racing world with his exceptional performance in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. His retirement is a bittersweet moment, but his legacy will live on through his offspring.

Hurricane Dream and Chez Pierre: Off the Watch List

Hurricane Dream, who finished second in the May 2023 Dinner Party (G3) and has only worked once since then, breezing a slow three furlongs on March 30, may have retired from racing. The same goes for Chez Pierre, who defeated a strong field in the 2023 Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) but has been unraced since finishing third in the June 2023 Poker (G3) and has not posted a timed workout since July 2023. These two horses have left the stage for now, but their past performances will not be forgotten.