HOLLYWOOD PARK : Filly Andestine Is Stepping Up in the Hawthorne

Hollywood Wildcat won an Eclipse Award as the nation’s top 3-year-old filly in 1993, a year capped by a narrow victory over Paseana in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Golden Klair and Likeable Style are multiple-stakes winners.

None of these fillies, however, will be the hottest 4-year-old running in the $106,000 Hawthorne Handicap Sunday at Hollywood Park.

Andestine, a California-bred daughter of Native Prospector, enters the 1 1/16-mile stake with five consecutive victories. Since finishing a distant fifth in her debut on April 10, 1993, Andestine has made no mistakes.

After winning four sprints for owners Raymond and Betty Rosen and Donna Klerer and trainer David Hofmans, Andestine tried a mile for the first time in the $100,000 Sonoma Handicap at Golden Gate Fields on April 16.

Although Native Prospector’s offspring tend to be most effective in sprints, she had little problem, beating favored Soviet Problem by two lengths in 1:34 2/5.

Now, Andestine will try a bit more distance and stiffer competition in the Hawthorne, the first of a three-race series for older fillies and mares on dirt at the meeting.

“She’s doing great,” Hofmans said Friday. “She worked seven furlongs in 1:27 2/5 the other morning and went nice. She finished well and she’s coming into this race strong.

“She’ll get tested (Sunday). This is going to be her first-class test.”

Win or lose, Andestine has already provided a major success story for the Rosens, who bred the filly. They own her dam, Here’s To Love.

A chemical industry consultant, Rosen and his wife were casual racing fans before meeting Jeff Siegel, a syndicated handicapper and longtime horse owner, about 13 years ago. They became more involved and have been partners with Siegel and others in many horses. Winsome Eris, Floriano, Mandy Mack, Straight Story, Hollyfrankie and Lifaregal are among other horses the Rosens have raced, but Raymond Rosen said Andestine is the best.

“It’s been unbelievable,” he said. “I’ve never had an experience like it. To watch a horse you bred and see it develop and have it exceed all your expectations is something you can’t put into words. It’s hard to describe.”

Andestine’s first start in nearly 14 months was less than auspicious. After trailing early in a six-furlong race against California-bred maidens, she finished 11 3/4 lengths behind heavily favored Charmalotta.

Brought back four weeks later, she overcame some early trouble and went on to a 3 1/2-length victory. Andestine suffered bucked shins in the race and didn’t return until last Jan. 7 at Santa Anita. Ridden by Chris McCarron for the first time, she won by eight lengths. The two lengths by which she won the Sonoma was the smallest margin of victory during her streak.

“She’s surprised me a little bit,” Hofmans said. “I thought she was a going to be a nice filly who tried real hard every time, but I didn’t know she would be this good. She’s done everything right so far.”

Hollywood Wildcat hadn’t done anything right in California until her last start, the La Canada Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 5. After being unbeaten in five starts for trainer Neil Drysdale since being shipped from Florida by owners Irving and Marge Cowan, the Kris S. filly finished third as the 1-2 favorite behind Stalcreek and Alyshena.

That was Hollywood Wildcat’s first race since the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and she seemed uncomfortable over a track slowed by rain. She came down with a cough, but has been training well for her return.

Likeable Style, one of the most promising 3-year-old fillies in the country early last year, ran poorly in the Hollywood Oaks and the Del Mar Oaks. After being away since Aug. 22, the daughter of Nijinsky II worked five furlongs in 59 4/5 Wednesday and has also been timed in 1:36 3/5 for a mile.

“She’s come back well and she’s doing good,” trainer Richard Mandella said.

The other entrants in the Hawthorne are Golden Klair, who won the Silver Belles and the A Gleam in her only two starts at Hollywood Park, and Potridee, who has three victories in eight starts since arriving from South America.