Four Starz Moxie is a work in progress

Berry’s Creek finalist Four Starz Moxie is a work-in-progress for trainer Carmine Fusco.

"I have been fooling around with his bridle," Fusco said. "He has worn three different bridles in his last three starts. I have not been happy, but we have to find the balance where he is not too hot, but it keeps his attention. He has been very accepting of the changes. I just want to get the best performance out of him.

"In his three wins last year, he was on the front," he continued. "We have to teach him how to race out of a hole. He doesn't know how to chase horses. He is developing."

Four Starz Moxie will start from post eight in the $215,000 Berry’s Creek Final on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. He is rated at 15-1 on the morning line with Tim Tetrick in the sulky. Four Starz Moxie drafted behind Mucho Sleazy to finish third in his Berry’s Creek elimination last week.

"He left out of the gate quick and landed in a good spot," Fusco said after the elim. "He is not the same caliber of horse right now as Mucho Sleazy, but he finished fast. In the final, if he gets a good trip, he can get a piece of it."

As a freshman, Four Starz Moxie won three of 11 starts and also finished third on four occasions. Owners Jeff Cohen and Mike Sudaley, who race as Four Starzzzz Stable, moved the son of The Panderosa into Fusco’s barn in September 2007.

"He won three out of four starts for me and then we took him to the Governor's Cup [Oct. 20, 2007 at Woodbine]," Fusco said. "He finished seventh and did not make the final, so we shut him down. He came back this year more mature. He is more relaxed and attentive. He is going faster each race, but he hasn't hit his best stride yet."

Four Starz Moxie will have plenty of opportunity to step up this season. He is eligible to the $1 million Meadowlands Pace on July 19, as well as the North America Cup, Little Brown Jug and Pennsylvania Sire Stakes.

"The owners wanted to give him a chance and see if he develops into the horse they think he can be," Fusco said. "We hope to give him a shot and see if he can shine in one them. The best thing is, he does want to do it." (Meadowlands)

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