ALBUQUERQUE — Trainer Todd Fincher brings Speed Merchant back to the races off a five-month layoff and will face five rivals in the $75,000 Road Runner Stakes, the featured event on Sunday’s program at Albuquerque Downs.
Owned by Dale F Taylor Racing LLC, Speed Merchant is a perfect 3-for-3 over the Albuquerque Downs course, including a win in the New Mexico State Fair Thoroughbred Futurity. Bred in New Mexico by Brad King and Chris Coleman, the son of Marking has won five of seven career starts and earned more than $335,000.
The Road Runner Stakes, a 5 1/2 furlong sprint for state-bred 3-year-olds, will be run as the ninth race with a scheduled post time of 4:50 p.m…