BREEDERS’ CUP / RACE AT A GLANCE

* Race: Distaff.

* Purse: $1 million.

* Distance: 1 1/8 miles.

* Track record: 1:45 4/5, by Star Spangled in 1979.

* Field (in post-position order): Sky Beauty, Dispute, Paseana, Magical Maiden, Party Cited, Hollywood Wildcat, Re Toss, Supah Gem.

* Morning-line favorite: Hollywood Wildcat, 2-1.

* Record of Favorites: Six winners in nine runnings (Princess Rooney, 1984; Life’s Magic entry, 1985; Lady’s Secret entry, 1986; Personal Ensign, 1988; Bayakoa, 1989; Dance Smartly entry, 1991).

* Average $2 Win Payoff: $3.80.

* Race Analysis: Before Hollywood Wildcat came to California this summer, the 3-year-old Kris S. filly looked nothing like a contender for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

After winning four of her five starts as a 2-year-old, Hollywood Wildcat came back in March and failed to win in four starts in Florida and Arkansas before being shipped west.

Dispatched at 16-1 in the Hollywood Oaks, she won by nearly two lengths in 1:48 2/5 and has since gone on to victories in the San Clemente Handicap, Del Mar Oaks and Lady’s Secret Handicap. Each time, she has been extremely impressive and has shown versatility.

Now, the filly has the toughest test of her life against 1992 Distaff winner Paseana, Beldame heroine Dispute and New York’s 3-year-old filly queen Sky Beauty, who has won nine of her 11 starts, including five of six this year.

Given her connections--trainer Neil Drysdale and jockey Eddie Delahoussaye--and a lot of other factors, Hollywood Wildcat, owned by Irving and Marge Cowan, looks ready for the challenge. Her tactical speed guarantees she should get a good trip Saturday, and she has shown the ability to accelerate late. She has continued to train solidly and has the benefit of a race over the track.

Everything points to a fifth consecutive victory for the Florida-bred, and in a race that is so competitive, her price won’t be that short.

Paseana, who wrapped up her Eclipse Award campaign with a four-length victory in the Distaff a year ago, enters off a one-length victory in the Spinster. She has never been worse than second in six starts at Santa Anita, but the 6-year-old mare has lost her last two here against lesser competition than she will face in the Distaff. The bottom line is that she was better in 1992.

Dispute has to be respected because of her improving pattern, but Sky Beauty is a good filly to take a stand against. The daughter of Blushing Groom hasn’t looked overwhelming against soft competition in recent starts and has done all her winning in New York.

Magical Maiden ran third in this event a year ago, but her last race was too bad to ignore. Re Toss has defeated Paseana before, and while she could collect a significant share of the purse, it’s hard to envision her beating all of the top contenders.