It's hard to believe but the Hollypark meet is wrapping up and horsemen are gearing for 7-weeks of bliss at the beach but before we get ahead of ourselves, lets look at the main fixture on closing weekend, the $350,000 guaranteed Swaps Stakes at a mile and an eighth.

Equine namesake Swaps was one of the most important horses back in the day. His pedigree goes back to the immortal Man o' War and won the 1955 Kentucky Derby under Bill Shoemaker.

Overall, Swaps raced 25 times, won 19, was in the money 4 others times and banked nearly $900,000, which probably translates to about 10 million on today's market.

Originally carded at a mile and a quarter, in the early days of the Swaps the race was taken by such stalwarts as Majestic Light, J O Tobin, Precisionist and Best Pal.

A field of 8 is in prospect for the fixture so let's take a look at them from in alphabetical order.

Behindatthebar has only run one poor race and it was on the conventional strip at Bay Meadows, a track where a lot of horses don't seen to handle.

He's trained well for this and has been begging for the return. His trainer had this to say in the Hollywood notes, Pletcher: "We decided to pass on the Kentucky Derby. We entered him in the Preakness but he bruised a foot and we scratched him. We have been pointing him to the Swaps since."

Colonel John is also coming off a layoff, after a rough trip vs. Big Brown in Louisville.

Dixie Chatter seemed in a great spot last time in the Affirmed, but he basically just went through the motions and ran around the oval.

Madeo lost a heart breaker last time and has only run one poor race and he was troubled that time. The blood is there as his dam banked nearly $300K.

Nownownow was far back in the 2008 opener in Ireland and has failed in the 3 efforts on the main surface. Lack of speed could put this guy behind the 8 ball turning for home.

Tres Borrachos has been a disappointment. He has always teased of talent, and he ran okay last time, but just could not keep up with the lone speed.

Trevor's Clever comes off a break-out race but like a few in here is pace dependent and will need things to break just right.

Two Step Salsa was washy off a layoff for only poor effort. He's posted back-to-back 99 Beyers and again looms the lone speed.

How is the race going to unfold? First off, you have to respect Behindatthebar and Colonel John but sometimes they don't pop first crack back after a grueling Triple Crown campaign.

Dixie Chatter, Trevor's Clever and Nownownow will have to come from the clouds.

With stable rider Martin Pedroza up, he won the Big 'Cap back in the day for trainer Julio Canani, look for Two Step Salsa to be dancing with the mariachis on the front end trying to steal another. The way he was coming away late in his last win suggests the extra sixteenth of a mile is well within his realm.

Madeo will track along with Tres Borrachos but neither will be able to hold off Behindatthebar to complete the exacta.

Those looking to the superfecta can use Madeo, Tres, Colonel John and Trevor's in the minor slots.

Good luck and good luck at Del Mar, the subject of next week's preview.