WINDSOR, OCT. 16, 2001 – One field of three-year-old trotting fillies will compete in the final Trillium Series event of their career on Friday night at Windsor Raceway and among the starters is hometown favourite Sharise Seelster.

While Sharise Seelster has not dominated her division this year as she did at two, she has still managed to accumulate $134,650 in 15 starts and co-owner Dennis Fairall would love to see her break the $500,000 barrier in lifetime earnings.

“I’m hoping she can get to $500,000 by the end of the year,” says the coach of the University of Windsor track and field team. “She’s just under $30,000 short right now.”

The Brisco Hanover filly and trainer-driver George Zirnis will attempt to reach the half million dollar mark from Post 3 in Windsor’s ninth race on Friday and Fairall is looking forward to being in the stands.

“It’s nice to have a race here at home. I haven’t seen her race much this year. I’ve been travelling – I was in China for the World University Games – so I’m looking forward to seeing her,” says the Windsor resident. “And it’s our anniversary the night before, so we are celebrating our anniversary a day late at the racetrack.”

Fairall, who shares ownership on the filly with Zirnis of Elmira, Nancy Holmes of Clinton and Spero Mavrou of Islington, expects that Sharise Seelster’s toughest competition in the last Trillium Series will come from Donven Promise.

In 13 starts this season Donven Promise has only been worse than third on one occasion. She and trainer-driver Tom Strauss have posted six wins, including two Gold Series Eliminations and the Final of the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association Stake.

Maplegrove Bldg. Spec. Ltd. of North Bay own Donven Promise, who finished third in the Oct. 5 Gold Series Final after setting the pace through the thick slop covering the Mohawk Racetrack oval.

With rain pouring out of the skies over Windsor in recent days Fairall’s is crossing his fingers for drier weather on Friday.

“It has rained four of the last five days here,” he says. “Our track and field team had to stay inside and the football team had to stay inside today because the field was just under water. Hopefully that clears up.”

Following Friday’s contest the Ontario-bred fillies will be heading for the Grass Roots Semifinal at Sarnia’s Hiawatha Horse Park on Oct. 25 or preparing for the Gold Super Final at Mohawk Racetrack on Nov. 10.

Ontario Sires Stakes excitement returns to Windsor Raceway on Friday, Oct. 26 when the two-year-old trotting fillies arrive in town for their last Gold Series event before the Super Final. Windsor Raceway also plays host to the Grass Roots Semifinals and Championships for the two-year-olds on Oct. 27 and Nov. 3.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT SANDRA SNYDER AT 519-656-2017 (TEL./FAX) OR smsnyder@sentex.net.