Fame and Vermeer

One day before this year's Derby, Fame And Glory, last year's Epsom Derby favorite and runner-up to superstar Sea the Stars, won his third straight this season with a strong win in today's Coronation Cup.  Returning to the top form that he seemed to lose at the end of last year, the Aidan O'Brien runner has now established himself as the top older male in Europe. The four-year-old son of Montjeu was sent off as a heavy favorite, despite the presence of top older horses Youmzain, Calvaryman, and the excellent filly, Sariska. Content to let stablemate Dixie Music set the early pace, Fame and Glory comfortably stalked and took command early in the straight.  Last year's Oaks winner, Sariska, looked to make it interesting the final quarter mile, but had no answer for the powerful stride of her male counterpart.  Fame and Glory held her at bay to win by 1 1/2 lengths.  What better way to set up this years Derby than seeing the success of the 2009 Derby 2nd place finisher. Tomorrow's renewal of one of the most important races in the world will see 12 sophomore colts going 1 1/2 miles at the famed Epsom Downs.  Chief among the Derby hopefuls will be Aidan O'Brien's trio of horses led by Jan Vermeer.  The Michael Tabor owned son of Montjeu was a most impressive winner of the Group 1 Criterium International last Fall, and his easy debut score this season points him out as the most likely winner of the Epsom Derby.  A win by Jan Vermeer tomorrow would cap a big weekend for trainer O'Brien, jockey Johnny Murtagh, and sire Montjeu.  He appears to be another top class stayer in the O'Brien barn and will be difficult to handle. His most like challengers include the Godolphin entrant Rewilding who is a half brother to star mare, Dar Re Mi and is coming off a sharp win at Goodwood.  Possibly the horse with the most upside is Workforce who has only run two times in his career, but has shown great promise and is bred to get the trip.