Grass possible for Exciting Story

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Trainer Mark Casse said on Wednesday that he is planning to run Exciting Story, winner of the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap, either on the grass or in the July 1 Dominion Day Handicap over Woodbine's main track for his next start.

Owned by Mockingbird Farm, Exciting Story captured the May 28 Met Mile at Belmont as a 56-1 shot with Patrick Husbands aboard.

"He came out of it in great order," Casse said. "He'll either run back in some race on the grass, or there's an outside chance we might run him in the Dominion Day. I don't think he can accomplish any more than he has sprinting, so I want to try something different. If there's a chance of making the Breeders' Cup with him, it's going to have to be going long, or on the grass. The Dominion Day is 1 1/4 miles, and you probably couldn't find a better spot for him to try that distance."

Exciting Story finished fifth in his lone grass outing in an optional claimer at Woodbine in July 2000, which was his first start back after he suffered a serious injury as a 2-year-old.

"Considering that he was coming off that injury, he didn't run all that badly" Casse said. "He's bred for the grass."