COASTAL CAROLINA OPENS UP INDOOR PRACTICE FACILITY 🏈 🐓 

Across University Blvd. from Brooks Stadium now resides Coastal Carolina’s brand new / state of the art practice facility. It all comes down to recruiting and what is one of the best ways to lure in a new recruit… how about air controlled temperatures in an indoor practice facility that’s state of the art!

FIELD SET FOR SATURDAY’S STEPHEN FOSTER 🏇 

One million dollar payout. Automatic qualification to the Breeder’s Cup Classic. That’s what’s on the line for the Stephen Foster this Saturday evening.

Coming off his win in Dubai, UAE at the Dubai World Cup is 5Y Hit Show, who in 18 career starts has 9 1st Place finishes. As a 3Y his best finish was 2nd in the Wood Memorial (one of the top qualifiers for the Kentucky Derby). He finished 5th in the Derby and 4th in the Belmont. Since May 2024 however, Hit Show has entered 9 graded races and finished 1st in six of them.

Sierra Leone, who was named Horse of the Year in 2024, at the current moment, is the favorite, just ahead of Hit Show. The Deep Closer has only raced once in 2025 where he took 3rd in the New Orleans Classic back in March. In 10 career starts, Sierra Leone has never finished worse than 3rd in any race.

Todd Pletcher’s Mindframe is one of the three front-runners, as well, with current odds having him at 7/2. Currently 2-0 in 2025, Mindframe won both the Churchill Downs Stakes in May and the Gulfstream Park Mile in March. Altogether, the horse has only entered six career races, with a very impressive four 1sts and two 2nds on his resume.

Mystik Dan will forever be immortalized by winning the 2024 Kentucky Derby enters the Stephen Foster at 3/1. The Kenneth McPeek/Brian Hernandez trainer/jockey combination won their last race out, 4 weeks ago at Churchill Downs.

Entering his 33rd career race is Skippylongstocking. The 6Y has 11 1sts, 3 2nds, 7 3rds. Meaning in 64% of his races, he finishes in the top 3. Furthermore, he is battle-tested. While some horses basically his exact same age are still in single digit number of starts, Skippylongstocking has heard the ringing of the bell, time and time again!

5Y First Mission was here last year finishing 4th. Most recently he won the Oaklawn Handicap in April. This is only his 3rd start in the 2025 calendar year, but finished in the Top 3 in both previous races. First Mission did not even race in his first graded race until a week prior to the Kentucky Derby, not running in any of the big-3 triple crown races.

The longshot of the race is Ashcroft coming in at 30/1. Now retired trainer Wayne Lukas’ horse is 0-2 on the calendar year with a 5th and 6th place finish, respectively. His only two career victories are a Maiden Special Weight and an Allowance Optional Claiming.

MAKE YOUR PREDICTIONS!!! Share your thoughts on who wins the Stephen Foster Stakes!

JOHNI BROOME DRAFTED BY 76ERS 🏀 

Johni Broome is officially a Philadelphia 76er. The All-American from Auburn University was picked with the 5th pick of the 2nd Round of the 2025 NBA Draft.

COASTAL’S BODINE WINS BUSTER POSEY AWARD ⚾️ 🐓 

Cade Bodine has just been named College Baseball’s Best Catcher. In 67 games, Bodine batted in the leadoff spot, hitting 0.318. Scored 55 runs, had 5 Home Runs, drove in 42 runs, was walked 47 times and was hit by pitch another 17.

Additionally, Bodine finished the season with a 0.998 fielding percentage and set a new Coastal Carolina record with 46 throw outs for runners Caught Stealing.

SHARING IS CARING

TEXAS STATE HEADING TO PAC-12

Conference realignment. Hey, its been a year, why not! The desperate revival of the PAC-12 is underway. Their newest member to join for the 2026-2027 season comes from the Sun Belt Conference. The Texas State Bobcats have joined. Located in San Marcos, TX (exactly the midpoint between Austin, TX and San Antonio, TX) is leaving the Sun Belt Conference as their western-most school and only school in Texas. And joining the new look PAC-12 as their most southeastern school.

Rumor mill has it that Louisiana Tech will fill in as replacement for the Sun Belt vacancy and leave Conference-USA.

VCU’s MAX SHULGA TO BOSTON CELTICS
🏀 🪄 

With the 57th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic selected Max Shulga from VCU. Immediately after the pick, Orlando traded Shulga to the Boston Celtics where the former Ram will now call home.

CARDWELL/KELLY SIGN UNDRAFTED DEALS 🏀 

Johni Broome was not the only Auburn Tiger to have his phone ring on Thursday night. Dylan Cardwell and Miles Kelly each were picked up as Undrafted Free Agents.

Dylan Cardwell, C, went to the Sacramento Kings.

Miles Kelly, SG, went to the Dallas Mavericks.

WIMBLEDON DRAW ANNOUNCED 🎾 🏆️ 

Tennis’ most-prestigious tournament starts Monday morning. The draw for the brackets was held this morning at British o’clock. World’s #1 player Jannik Sinner opens up against fellow countryman Luca Nardi.

Fourteen Americans qualified for the grass court champion, including #5 seed Taylor Fritz and the #12, the very popular and French Open Quarterfinalist Frances Tiafoe.

In the Ladies’ bracket, Coco Gauff drew the #2 seed. Gauff is coming off her French Open championship.

For full brackets, click link below: