Today’s prelude to the Pick Six at Belmont Park is a.k.a. the third race preliminary allowances-optional claiming feature for 3-year-old & up sprinters going 6 furlongs.

The race has drawn six and it’s both tricky and trappy. Do you take fast working returnees with good company lines, young horses dropping into a softer spot after meeting much tougher?

How about neither? How about taking an older runner getting weight from some of the 3-year-olds while holding a pace advantage and a versatile style that would allow for a speed or stalking style in this spot?

Yes, the fast working One Sock Down (7-2) is intriguing. He beat Teeth Of The Dog in his debut then ran into Discreet Dancer going a mile in his second start. But then he went to the sidelines.

There’s Brian (5-2) that, after finishing second in the overnight You And I Stakes, he bore out badly in the G2 Wood Stephens and was eased, what about him? Or Mr. Continental, a big time maiden winner for Zito showing good energy distribution last out at Delaware Park?

Or, finally, Inflation Target (2-1), dropping, turning back and adding blinkers for Rick Violette, who’s been pushing all the right buttons of late.

Well, there value in Bravo Romeo (6-1) at early line odds, in at 114 pounds beneath apprentice Wilmer Garcia. The 4-year-old lost too much ground in a recent starter allowances but now draws inside, a position that’s not proven a hindrance to him in the past.

Taking Bravo Romeo to win at 4-1 or greater and key boxing him in exactas with One Sock Down.

Running Totals: (1113) 342-216-167 Total Dollar Return: $2,353.20 [win selections only]