Former Alberta Horse of the Year Swiftys First Star made his first start in over two years a winning one during Sunday afternoon's harness racing card at Alberta Downs

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Driven by Bill Tainsh Jr., the six-year-old gelding rushed to command from third down the backstretch in his claiming assignment and opened up a five length lead racing towards the three-quarters mark. Down the stretch, the backfield began to close in on the tiring leader, but he managed to hold on for the neck victory in 1:56 flat. He paid $12.60 to win.

Following a standout sophomore year, which included his biggest win in the Alberta Super Final and a runner-up finished in the Western Pace, Swiftys First Star was named the 2009 Alberta Horse of the Year. The As Promised gelding made the trek to Ontario the following year where he only had five starts on track and took a 1:52.3 mark at Woodbine Racetrack. He's put in eight qualifying miles since before his pari-mutuel return on Sunday for new trainer Glenda Smith.

Swiftys First Star is owned and bred by Kurt and Kathy Schmidt of Leduc, Alta. The win was his 12th lifetime and lifted his earnings to $183,538.

River Lass, the 2010 Alberta Horse of the Year, also visited the winner's circle after scoring a career-best 1:53.3 victory in the featured $8,500 Fillies & Mares Open Pace.

Trainer-driver Kelly Hoerdt sent the five-year-old daughter of As Promised to command from fifth past the three-quarters mark and unleashed a sizzling :26.2 final frame to win by nearly four lengths over Minettas Nightstar. The favourite paid $4.20 to win.

Hoerdt also shares ownership of the 22-time career winner, who has banked $279,696, with Blair Corbeil of Beaumont, Alta. She too was an Alberta Super Final champion in her sophomore year and was a runner-up in the Western Filly Pace.

The reigning Alberta Horse of the Year also turned in a winning performance this weekend. Racing for new Ontario connections, last year's Western Canada Pacing Derby champion Silver Eagle won his conditioning assignment at Woodbine Racetrack on Saturday night in a career-best 1:49.4.

To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Alberta Downs.