HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – There are more than horses to handicap Sunday at Oaklawn Park, where Chrome Baby, Cosmo, and Pledgeofallegiance defend their home turf in a first-level allowance that drew Louisiana shipper Machine Gun Man. There’s also the weather. Forecasters are calling for a high of 27 degrees on Sunday, following an overnight low of 14, according to Accuweather. There is a 25 percent chance of precipitation. The forecast for Monday, which is a dark day, is for snow. The weather has been the talk of the town and a number of horsemen said this week that if the forecast comes to fruition, they would not expect to be racing Sunday. Oaklawn officials have been closely monitoring the forecast, and as of Friday morning no decision had been made on Sunday. The track was wet to open Friday’s card, following overnight rains. Sunday’s eighth race is for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles. Cosmo could go favored off the Beyer Speed Figure of 92 he earned last out winning at a similar level at Remington Park. But that start came in September, so he will give up recency to both Chrome Baby, who is coming off a strong meet at Remington, and Pledgeofallegiance, who leads the field in earnings with nearly $350,000. :: Bet with the Best! Get FREE All-Access PPs and Weekly Cashback when you wager on DRF Bets. Machine Gun Man is a talented sort coming in from Fair Grounds, where he worked a bullet five-eighths in 59 seconds Jan. 11. Last year, he finished fourth in the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs following a pair of allowance wins at Evangeline Downs. Chrome Baby is moving back into the overnight ranks after a start in the Jeffrey Hawk Memorial on Dec. 15 at Remington. He finished an uncharacteristic ninth in the race, which was run in the mud, after winning back-to-back allowances at Remington. One of those races came over the Jeffrey Hawk winner, U.S. Army. “If he runs back to his best races at Remington, he’ll have something to say about it,” said trainer Donnie Von Hemel. Chrome Baby earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 88 in November, when he won a no-conditions allowance going a mile at Remington. He defeated a field that included multiple stakes winner Number One Dude. One start prior, Chrome Baby was up for a neck win over U.S. Army in a seven-furlong allowance at Remington. “He’s pretty versatile as far as distances,” said Von Hemel. Von Hemel said depending on a few variables, Chrome Baby could find himself sitting mid-pack Sunday. Richard Eramia has the mount from post 7. The son of California Chrome is owned by Levings Racing. Cosmo has been flattered since his September win at Remington, with the runner-up, Next Revolt, coming back in his next start to account for a first-level allowance at Remington with a Beyer of 88. Cristian Torres has the mount on Cosmo from post 5. :: Get Daily Racing Form Past Performances – the exclusive home of Beyer Speed Figures Pledgeofallegiance was second by a nose at this level Dec. 29 at Oaklawn. Machine Gun Man is moving back to two turns off a ninth-place finish in the Thanksgiving Classic. He raced close to a quick pace, and could be the speed of Sunday’s race. Speightsville, a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Shotgun Gulch, also could be prominent, much like Cosmo and Pledgeofallegiance. The scenario could be favorable for Chrome Baby – if the weather cooperates. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.