'Go for the Gold' will be the chant of just about every nation in the world during this summer's Olympics but the winner of this week's Gold Cup has some history to live up to big time.

The $750,000 guaranteed mile and a quarter fixture goes this weekend at Hollywood Park and it joins the Santa Anita Handicap and the Pacific Classic as the top handicap race for older horses in the West.

For sentimentalists, it appears that Lava Man will not seek his 4th straight Gold Cup. He ran well on grass last time and may show up but he has lost his last 5 races and like older football players, may have lost a step.

If he does go, he should be a bet against as he figures to take way too much action.

Lava and Native Diver are the only 3-time winners of this race but there have been some legends that have gotten the gold in this fray.

Citation took the 1951 renewal, 5 years later the great Swaps was unsaddled and Round Table and Gallant Man followed him to the charmed circle.

Twenty-nine years ago Affirmed got home under the great Laffit Pincay Jr. and the streaking Cigar and Skip Away also where crowned in Inglewood.

This year, the field figures short and sweet so let's take a look at the possibles in alphabetical order.

A.P. Xcellent will be a pace factor if he goes and he could have rabbit duties for trainer John Shireffs, who also has the long-fused Tiago set to roll.

Xcellent has the class to be tough, he took Lava Man to a nose in the race last year and figures to be sent hard from the sound of the bell.

Big Booster completed the trifecta in last year's renewal of the Cup but he will once again need a hot pace and clear sailing to get there.

Go Between, who has not raced since April, will have to ship in and he is doubtful both for the race and to make a major impact.

Heatseeker has won 2 of his last 4 races, was beaten a head in both of the recent losses and will be a handful right back.

Besides having the training king of Northern California in his corner, Heat also has strong man and leading Hollypark pilot Rafael Bejarano on the ticket. Anything close to a repeat of his last race and he'll be right there.

As mentioned, the connections of Lava Man are on the fence and that's seldom a good thing when a big race is on the horizon.

If Bobby Frankel's Mast Track enters, he'll be a huge price. He just has never beaten this caliber foe.

McCann's Mojave just wants to beat ya. He's like the equine version of Paul Pierce and his style suggests he'll get a super stalk and pounce kind of a trip.

The venerable Perfect Drift has seemed to have lost a step. He's won nearly $5 million in his career but has lacked the killer instinct when up against the best.

Racketter will try to shake down this field but he'll be a huge price as a new purchase by Barry Abrams.

Spice Route will be making his first start in this country. He's consistent, lightly raced and was third a half length in a synthetic try at Kempton. Value will be there.

Storm Military gave up the ghost in his last at Lone Star but seems better on grass while Student Council will be a factor if he suits up.

Council is the defending champ and is fresh from a Pimlico Special score.

Tiago will be coming but he is pace dependant. He's a tough runner to adore because he will have to negotiate a trip.

The two Zs. Zanjero and Zappa are unlikely to run.

How will it unfold? Heatseeker has speed but doesn't need the lead and that's his best asset. He can be placed anywhere and still win and looms the key horse on top.

Look for McCann's Mojave to track in 4th early with Student Council right behind.

As A. P. Xcellent starts to tire on the front end, Heatseeker will make his big move and take over the lead with a furlong to go. Mojave will hold off Council for the exacta spot and Tiago will complete the super.

On the podium, Heatseeker will get the Gold Cup Medal under a smiling Bejarano.