AUBURN, Wash. – While the inimitable Stryker Phd will be the main attraction Sunday during Washington Cup Day at Emerald Downs, Lady Rosberg can carve out a historical niche of her own when she starts as a prohibitive favorite in the $50,000 Comcast SportsNet Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs. The Comcast SportsNet is one of five stakes Sunday for Washington-breds, topped by Stryker Phd’s appearance in the Muckleshoot Tribal Classic. Lady Rosberg, a 5-year-old by the deceased A.P. Indy stallion Rosberg, has emerged this summer as the leading older female in the Pacific Northwest, following up a snappy victory in the one-mile Boeing Handicap with a relatively easy score in the nine-furlong Emerald Downs Distaff in her last start. Trainer Tom Wenzel had planned to cap Lady Rosberg’s Emerald campaign with a start in the Pegasus Training Center Stakes at 1 1/16 miles, but that race failed to fill when entries were drawn Thursday. “She’s shown the ability in Phoenix to go short a couple of times,” Wenzel said of Lady Rosberg, who captured the 6 1/2-furlong Mesa Handicap at Turf Paradise in March. “This mare has shown good versatility. Obviously, she’s not going to be on the front end, especially sprinting, but she can do a lot of things. Would I have preferred to route her? Yes, but at least we get to run.” :: Bet Washington Cup Day with DRF Bets. Get a $200 cash bonus, including $50 free just for making a deposit! Find out more today While physical issues have limited Lady Rosberg to 15 career starts more than halfway through her 5-year-old year, she’s been a live wire in recent workouts, Wenzel said. Owner Karl Krieg will have options should Lady Rosberg come out of Sunday’s race in good order, with the Grade 3, $100,000 Ballerina at Hastings on Oct. 12 and the $35,000 Queen of the Green Stakes at Turf Paradise on Nov. 28 among the races being considered. But first things first: Lady Rosberg, riding a four-race winning streak, will have to take care of seven foes in the Comcast SportsNet, with Madam Pele and Among the Stars her most accomplished challengers. “She’s been awesome her first two starts and looked good doing it,” Wenzel said of Lady Rosberg’s two starts at this meet. “She’s come inside and outside in those two races and won going away. The competition may not have been stellar, but the way she did it and the times she ran, she was pretty good. I would expect her to show up.” :: DRF Bets Exotic Summer: Get a 20% bonus on all winning trifectas Sunday at Emerald Downs In other Washington Cup races: ◗ Trainer David Martinez will send out a formidable one-two punch in the $50,000 Northwest Farms Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs. My Heart Goes On captured her first two starts in front-running fashion before running into a buzz saw named Princess Kennedy in the 6 1/2-furlong Barbara Shinpoch Stakes last month. Cape Grace, Martinez’s other entrant, blasted maidens by 4 1/2 lengths in her career debut. My Heart Goes On had a bumpy trip in the Shinpoch and faded after gaining a narrow lead past the quarter pole. Princess Kennedy is now off doing bigger things – she was 12-1 on the morning line for Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs – and My Heart Goes On could have a leg up on the leftovers. She’ll have a new rider, as Javier Matias, who was up for her maiden victory in early July, jumps back aboard following a two-race absence. “She’s been working well – she went a strong five-eighths from the gate – and I’ve got Matias back on her,” said Martinez, who will have six starters in the Washington Cup races. “I’m more confident about the horse this time. Cape Grace, I like her behind horses. She’s got a lot of heart. I think My Heart Goes On and Cape Grace are the big chances for my barn on Sunday.” ◗ Mach One Rules, who captured the WTBOA Lads Stakes in his last start to run his record to 2 for 2, is the one to beat in the $50,000 Captain Condo Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings at six furlongs. He’ll have to contend with Viewingthegold, who missed by a head in the Lads at 26-1, and the speedy Gold Rush Dancer, who was compromised by a poor break while finishing third in the Lads. Also in the lineup is Party for One, a first-time starter trained by Martinez; Timberfaller, a likely pace factor; and probable longshots Cats Ransom, Ryan Walt, and Li’l Orphan Andy. ◗ Del Rio Harbor looms large in the $50,000 Chinook Pass Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at 6 1/2 furlongs. The race lured just six entrants, and Del Rio Harbor has been a step or two quicker than his potential pace adversaries. If he gets loose on the lead, the race could be over in a hurry. Del Rio Harbor ran six furlongs in 1:08.81 in his last start and will be handled per usual by Julien Couton, who is running away with the Emerald Downs riding title. Absolutely Cool, a Wenzel-trained closer, and Mike Man’s Gold, who finished third at Del Mar in a $32,000 claimer in his last start, are the other top contenders. Absolutely Cool will fly late, but will it be too late? “This horse has sprinted most of his life,” Wenzel said. “We made a run at routing this year, and he didn’t do half bad. Even in the Longacres Mile, he didn’t disgrace himself. I’ve tried to sharpen him. But can he get up and catch the speed if he gets loose? That’s going to be tough.”