In his third Australian stint, Birdman under Chris Waller’s guidance may soon exhibit the talent his owners envisioned upon acquiring the Irish youngster.

Having won his first two staying races, Birdman was bought by a syndicate featuring Ozzie Kheir and John O’Neill hoping for future Melbourne Cup glory.

Birdman skipped last year’s Melbourne Cup but his pair of runs this preparation hint at readiness for this year’s November showdown.

Birdman’s schedule post his February 28 win in the Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington includes the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) over Caulfield’s track this Saturday.

According to jockey Ben Melham, the gelding’s two most recent efforts confirm his acclimatisation to Australia, with expectations of ongoing progress.

“It took him a little while to settle in and we’re starting to see the best of him now,” Melham said.

“I feel he’s gone to a new level this preparation and can continue that upward trajectory.

“He’s a happy horse and seems to have really fitted in here now.”

The Peter Young Stakes leads towards the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 28, a target shared with stablemate Buckaroo.

Buckaroo was withdrawn from the All-Star Mile at Flemington last week after a morning scope detected slight mucus, now contesting Saturday’s Peter Young Stakes.

Suspension sees Jye McNeil reclaim the mount on Buckaroo from Mark Zahra.

McNeil guided the gelding to second place in the Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield recently before riding Leica Lucy in the All-Star Mile.

Buckaroo’s Tuesday gallop at Caulfield satisfied McNeil regarding his stretch out following the small problem.

“He felt amazing,” McNeil said.

“He towed me throughout his work. He was really sharp and he seems in great order.

“He was free in his action and pulled up fine after the gallop, so there’s no indication of there being anything wrong with him.

“It’s great to get the opportunity on him second-up and the rise is distance to 1800 metres is going to be right up his alley.

“He seems to love it at Caulfield and I’m excited to get the chance to ride him again.”

Find the finest betting sites with betting markets for the race in the Peter Young Stakes.

Sumit Antil in Paris Paralympics 2024. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: India enjoyed a dominant day at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, with Paralympic champion Sumit Antil leading the charge by winning gold in the men’s javelin throw (F43/F44/F64). The double Paralympic gold medallist produced a powerful throw of 69.25 metres to secure the top spot. Fellow Indians Pushpendra Singh and Poonam Ram completed the podium with silver and bronze respectively.Antil admitted that his winning throw was better than he had expected. “This time we have multiple tournaments lined up. I will try to perform well in the upcoming competitions. It is an off-season loading phase for me. I was not expecting such a throw; I expected around 67-68m, but the throw was good today at 69.25m. So I am happy, and my team is happy as well,” he said.The 27-year-old from Sonipat, Haryana, added that he is focusing on improving gradually rather than changing his technique. “I am not changing my technique because we know we are moving in the right direction in our training. Right now, we just need the right conditions where the throw falls perfectly in place. That is why I am participating in tournaments so I can find those conditions somewhere,” he added.Looking ahead, Antil has already set a major target for the season. “I am targeting the Asian Games, and the goal is 75m. I haven’t achieved it yet in practice, and no athlete has done it yet, but I am working on whatever improvements are possible in technique or strength to reach that mark.”India’s success was not limited to javelin, as several athletes delivered medal-winning performances across track and field events. The country dominated multiple races and throwing events, including the 400m races, shot put, long jump, discus throw, and javelin, with Indian athletes frequently sweeping the podium.Overall, it was another impressive outing for India’s para-athletics contingent, showcasing strong depth and momentum ahead of upcoming international competitions.

Usually, former Green Bay Packers players join the Minnesota Vikings’ roster; Aaron Jones, Za’Darius Smith, Ryan Longwell, Brett Favre, Dean Lowry, Greg Jennings, Chandon Sullivan, Bashaud Breeland, and Robert Tonyan can attest. This time, the reverse occurred, as Vikings defensive tackle Javon Hargrave signed with the Packers on Wednesday.

Green Bay grabbed a former Viking and kept the rivalry heat climbing.

Minnesota dropped him as a cap casualty this week, and although many consider him washed, Green Bay will hope to rekindle his Pro Bowl ways.

Green Bay Added a Familiar Name to Its Defensive Front

The turncoat saga takes a new turn.

Hargrave to GB

Hargrave worked with new Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon a few years back in Philadelphia, the apparent luring factor.

ESPN’s Rob Demovsky wrote Wednesday, “The Packers found some much-needed help up front for new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon on Wednesday when they agreed to terms with former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. Agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Hargrave agreed to a two-year, $23 million contract which includes $13 million in the first year. Hargrave was officially released by the Vikings on Wednesday.”

“The Packers already were thin on the defensive line even before they traded defensive tackle Colby Wooden to the Indianapolis Colts for linebacker Zaire Franklin earlier this week. In Hargrave, Gannon gets a player he’s familiar with. Gannon, the former Arizona Cardinals head coach, was the Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator for two of Hargrave’s three seasons with the Eagles.”

Hargrave earned $19 million in guaranteed funds from the Vikings and $13 million from Green Bay. The man is stacking dough, even with mediocre performance.

The Packers’ DTs at the Moment

Green Bay lost Kenny Clark in the Micah Parsons trade with Dallas, and Hargrave is evidently a part of the replacement plan.

Heading into the next wave of free agency, and with the draft six weeks away, here’s a look at the Packers’ interior defensive linemen after the Hargrave signing:

• Devonte Wyatt
• Javon Hargrave
• Karl Brooks
• Warren Brinson
• Nazir Stackhouse
• Jordon Riley
• Jonathan Ford
• Anthony Campbell
• Dante Barnett
• James Ester

That group certainly doesn’t lack quantity, but the quality is suspect. Wyatt suffered a down year by his standards in 2025 and hopes to rebound next season. The Packers could also draft a defensive tackle, though they have no 1st-Round picks due to the aforementioned Parsons trade.

Hargave’s 2025 Output

Hargrave’s Pro Football Focus grades indicate he is a slightly above-average interior defender. In 2025, he earned a 70.0 pass-rushing grade and a 57.3 run-defense mark, resulting in an overall grade of 68.0, which ranked him 35th among interior linemen. While his pass rush shows promise, his run defense has been inconsistent.

His volume statistics support this assessment. Across 16 games and 537 defensive snaps (53%), Hargrave recorded 52 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 6 quarterback hits, 4 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and 31 pressures, a total that ranked him 34th among defensive tackles.

Green Bay is acquiring a dependable veteran who brings experience and pass-rushing ability. Although Hargrave earned a Pro Bowl selection earlier in his career, recent film and data suggest he now performs as a mid-tier defensive tackle.

Meanwhile, Minnesota’s defensive tackle unit already appears somewhat strong without Hargrave. Jalen Redmond emerged as one of the defense’s top performers last season and appears poised to become a long-term starter, assuming the Vikings extend his contract.

Levi Drake Rodriguez is developing as a run defender and could compete for starting snaps next season. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins saw significant playing time as a rookie, and undrafted defensive tackle Elijah Williams impressed during training camp and the preseason.

Like Green Bay, Minnesota may be in the market for a rookie DT in April.

All the Packers’ Free Agency Moves

Similar to the Vikings, the Packers have been quiet this week compared to NFL teams. In addition to sending Rashan Gary to the Cowboys for a 4th-Round pick, here’s a peek at their free-agent transactions:

• Brenton Cox Jr. (ED) GB → GB
• Javon Hargrave (DL) MIN → GB
• Darian Kinnard (RT) GB → GB
• Skyy Moore (WR) SF → GB
• Benjamin St-Juste (CB) LAC → GB

Green Bay has lost these players to the open market:

• Zayne Anderson (S, MIA)
• Romeo Doubs (WR, NE)
• Kingsley Enagbare (ED, NYJ)
• Elgton Jenkins (C, CLE)
• Quay Walker (LB, LV)
• Malik Willis (QB, MIA)

The Packers also added veteran off-ball linebacker Zaire Alexander via trade with the Colts, as mentioned by Demovsky.

Hargrave turned 33 last month. He’ll be remembered for his one-year, underwhelming pit stop in Minnesota.

The Jacksonville Jaguars released tight end Johnny Mundt this week after one tour of duty, and many, including this website, expected the Minnesota Vikings to kick the tires on a diminutive reunion contract. That was wrong. Instead, Mundt signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday.

Mundt’s next landing spot came together fast after free agency opened.

Mundt was a fan favorite and “lunchpail guy” in the Twin Cities; that status may carry over nicely to Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Added a Familiar Former Viking at Tight End

Mundt’s 2026 free agency lasted a day.

Mundt to PHI

He’s back in the NFC. The Eagles website published on Wednesday: “Before the start of Free Agency, the Eagles retained a player who has been involved in the team’s run of success the past four seasons, agreeing to terms with tight end Grant Calcaterra, and then added a trusted veteran in tight end, Johnny Mundt. Both players are here on one-year deals. Mundt enters his 10th NFL season after going undrafted out of Oregon in 2017.”

“The 6-foot-4 Mundt spent his first five seasons on the Los Angeles Rams before playing the next three on the Minnesota Vikings, overlapping with new Eagles Offensive Coordinator Sean Mannion in 2022 and 2023. While it remains to be seen what Mannion’s vision is for the offense, the tight end position has played a vital part in Philadelphia, and the scheme the new coordinator has the most experience with, in both the run game and the pass game over the years.”

Mannion and Mundt have now crossed paths thrice — in Los Angeles when Mannion lived in the Rams’ quarterback room, and Mundt played as a young tight end, in Minnesota in the same roles, and now in Philadelphia as a coach and player.

The Eagles’ Revised TE Room

Dallas Goedert may or may not return. Stay tuned. Veteran Kylen Granson is also a free agent. With those two players in flux, here’s a look at the Eagles’ TE room at the moment:

• Grant Culcaterra
• Johnny Mundt
• Cameron Latu
• E.J. Jenkins
• Jaheim Bell

If Philadelphia prefers a more dependable TE1, and Goedert doesn’t re-sign, free agents like David Njoku and Darren Waller remain on the open market.

Career Numbers and Tenure in MIN

In 2025, Brenton Strange became a key receiving target for the Jacksonville Jaguars, establishing himself as the team’s primary tight end. He tallied 46 receptions for 540 yards and 3 touchdowns, offering quarterback Trevor Lawrence a dependable option, especially over the middle, and commanding a larger share of the tight end targets.

This expanded role for Strange affected the depth chart, with Johnny Mundt becoming a key complementary player alongside Strange and fellow tight end Hunter Long. Mundt primarily served as Jacksonville’s TE3 throughout the 2025 season.

Mundt’s usage reflected his role. Over 16 games, he participated in 389 offensive snaps and contributed an additional 70 on special teams. Lawrence targeted Mundt 19 times, resulting in 9 receptions for 111 yards and 6 first downs. With Strange now cemented as Jacksonville’s lead tight end, Mundt is pursuing opportunities with a new team.

Before joining Jacksonville, Mundt played for the Vikings, signing as a free agent in March 2022. There, head coach Kevin O’Connell utilized him as a TE3.

Mundt’s connection with O’Connell began in 2017, when he entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Rams. He spent five seasons with the Rams, including the 2020 and 2021 seasons under O’Connell’s offensive coordination, culminating in a Super Bowl victory in 2021. When O’Connell became the head coach in Minnesota, Mundt quickly followed.

Throughout his 114-game career, Mundt has recorded 74 receptions for 658 yards and 4 touchdowns on 103 targets.

Eagles Offseason Moves

Strangely, Philadelphia has been quiet in free agency — just like the Vikings. It has signed two newcomers this week: Mundt and Super Bowl champion cornerback Tariq Woolen of the Seattle Seahawks.

The Eagles, too, are reportedly shopping for EDGE defenders after Jaelan Phillips departed for the Carolina Panthers. Their rumor mill has even lassoed Vikings outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard, who is evidently on the trade block if Minnesota cannot come to an agreement on a large contract extension.

If Minnesota and Philadelphia do trade business on Greenard, the Vikings are reportedly seeking a 2nd-Round pick. That could be snagged by Greenard’s modest 3 sacks in 12 games last year.

Mundt should have no problem securing the TE3 role in Philadelphia later this summer with Mannion running the offense. He’ll turn 32 right before Thanksgiving.

The Minnesota Vikings brought tight end Ben Sims into the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2023, let him leave months later, signed him back in October 2025, and watched Wednesday as he chose the Miami Dolphins as his next destination.

Miami found a familiar low-cost tight end after the first free-agency wave.

The 25-year-old chose Miami in free agency and will battle for a roster spot later this summer.

Ben Sims Landed in a Wide-Open Dolphins TE Room

Sims will have a blank canvas in South Florida, with no clear-cut TE1 on the current roster.

Sims to MIA

Miami hired former Green Bay Packers executive Jon-Eric Suillvan this offseason, and Sims spent some time with those very Packers from 2023 to 2025.

Sun Sentinel‘s David Furones wrote Wednesday, “The Miami Dolphins already locked in their pass-catching tight end. Now, they found their next in-line blocker at the position. The Dolphins agreed to terms with tight end Ben Sims on Wednesday evening, according to a league source, after previously re-signing Greg Dulcich on Monday night.”

“Sims reunites with new Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, who was Packers vice president of player personnel when Sims was brought to Green Bay. Sims spent parts of the past three seasons with the Packers. He played in all 17 games each of the 2023 and 2024 seasons, starting six, but he was released last October and claimed by the Minnesota Vikings, the team which originally signed him as an undrafted rookie in 2023 but cut him then.”

New Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley crossed paths with Sims, too, in Green Bay, though Hafley coached the defense.

Career to Date

In three seasons with the Packers, Sims played in 45 games, starting eight, primarily in 2024. While in Green Bay, he caught eight of 11 targets for 63 yards, one touchdown, and four first downs, mostly from Jordan Love. Sims’ role decreased in 2025 when he became the Vikings’ TE3. In eight games with two starts, he had three receptions for 30 yards on six targets, mainly serving as a backup to T.J. Hockenson and contributing as a blocker.

Over his three-year career, Sims has played 581 offensive snaps and 299 special teams snaps, proving himself a reliable backup tight end and special teams player.

PhinPhanatic‘s Brian Miller’s take on the Sims addition: “What is interesting here is that Sims hasn’t put up big snap count numbers on special teams. In 2025, he played on 26% of the Vikings ST snaps, the most of his career. Sims will take up where the departing Julian Hill left off.”

“He is a better blocking TE who plays physically. He is one of those players that the Dolphins have said they are looking for: he is intense and loves the sport. The Dolphins need to bring players onto the roster that can provide depth, as well as fill the ‘camp-body’ needs of the roster.”

Oddsmakers expect Miami to win just four or five games in 2026.

Miller added, “Sims will compete for a roster spot, but there is no guarantee he will make it to September. Working in his favor is the fact that Miami needs cheap options. Clearly, the Dolphins feel Sims can be developed. Fans need to be patient, as we often were not with Hill.”

“Tight end is one of the hardest positions to learn at the NFL level. Hill struggled through his first two NFL seasons before settling down in 2025, but he had limitations to his game.”

The Dolphins TEs

With Sims in town, here’s a look at the Dolphins’ tight end room through three days of free agency:

• Greg Dulcich
• Ben Sims
• Jalin Conyers
• Cole Turner
• Zack Kuntz

Last year’s main option, Darren Waller, remains a free agent, though he’s not expected to return in Miami after the Dolphins completely overhauled their coaching staff in the front office.

It’s also worth noting that free agent David Njoku could land with a TE-needy team like Miami. He’s received no action this week despite an efficient career resume.

All Miami’s FA Moves

Miami has been highly active in free agency — unlike the Vikings — especially at the top of the ticket by adding quarterback Malik Willis, who has ties to the Dolphins’ new head coach and general manager from the Green Bay days.

Here’s a look at their new players from free agency:

• Zayne Anderson, S (GB to MIA)
• Alex Austin, CB (NE to MIA)
• Darrell Baker Jr., CB (TEN to MIA)
• Matthew Butler, DL (LV to MIA)
• Greg Dulcich, TE (DEN to MIA)
• Zane Gonzalez, K (ATL to MIA)
• Lonnie Johnson, S (LV to MIA)
• Ben Sims, TE (GB to MIA)
• Joshua Uche, ED (PHI to MIA)
• Willie Gay Jr., LB (NO to MIA)
• Malik Willis, QB (GB to MIA)

Miami also made waves last month by dropping wide receiver Tyreek Hill and EDGE Bradley Chubb.

Sims will turn 26 a couple of weeks after April’s draft.

The Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals have arrived, and the field is a bit chalky. The six most talented teams are still alive, and the Scary Six will be joined by UCF and TCU, who have exceeded expectations all year. A delightful round of heavy-hitting matchups is on tap.

Finality was the theme of Wednesday’s Big 12 Tournament action. Iowa State hammered Arizona State 91-42 to conclude the Bobby Hurley era. Cincinnati collapsed late in regulation and eventually fell in overtime 66-65 to UCF to bid adieu to its at-large case. West Virginia’s slim chances for a Big Dance appearance fell by the wayside at the hands of BYU star AJ Dybantsa, who delivered a 27-point gem in the Cougars’ 68-48 win. Finally, TCU outlasted Oklahoma State 95-88 to knock the Cowboys out of Big Dance contention.

2026 NBA Mock Draft: BYU’s AJ Dybantsa jumps over Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, goes No. 1 to Kings

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Adam Finkelstein

More conference tournament scores, brackets: ACC | Big Ten | Big East | SEC

Here is the upcoming slate.

2026 Big 12 Tournament bracket, scores

Location: T-Mobile Center — Kansas City, Missouri
Live stream: fuboTV (Try for free)   | Follow live: CBS Sports App  

All times Eastern; some start times approximated

Quarterfinals — Thursday, March 12
Game 9 — No. 5 Iowa State 75, No. 4 Texas Tech 53 | Recap
Game 10 — No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 8 UCF | GameTracker
Game 11 — No. 2 Houston vs. No. 10 BYU | 7 p.m. on ESPN2
Game 12 — No. 3 Kansas vs. No. 6 TCU | 9:30 p.m. on ESPN2

Semifinals — Friday, March 13
Game 13 – No. 5 Iowa State vs. Game 10 winner | 7 p.m. on ESPN or ESPN2
Game 14 – Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner | 9:30 p.m. on ESPN or ESPN2

Final – Saturday, March 14
Game 15 – Game 13 winner vs. Game 14 winner | 6 p.m. on ESPN

2026 Big 12 Tournament scores, results

First round — Tuesday, March 10
Game 1 — No. 12 Arizona State 83, No. 13 Baylor 79 | Recap
Game 2 — No. 9 Cincinnati 73, No. 16 Utah 66 | Recap
Game 3 — No. 10 BYU 105 No. 15 Kansas State 91 | Recap
Game 4 — No. 14 Oklahoma State 92, No. 11 Colorado 83 | Recap

Second round — Wednesday, March 11
Game 5 — No. 5 Iowa State 91, No. 12 Arizona State 42 | Recap
Game 6 — No. 8 UCF 66, No. 9 Cincinnati 65 (OT) | Recap
Game 7 — No. 10 BYU 68, No. 7 West Virginia 48 | Recap
Game 8 — No. 6 TCU 95, No. 11 Oklahoma State 88 | Recap

Oscar De La Hoya has weighed in on the drama between Zuffa Boxing and the IBF, which Jai Opetaia unfortunately finds himself in the middle of, and has sent some serious accusations the way of Dana White.

Opetaia looked set to defend his IBF cruiserweight world title in his debut for the new promotion against Brandon Glanton, but the sanctioning body withdrew its backing just two days before fight night, citing the inaugural Zuffa belt and its legitimacy as a key factor.

The decision – which has since been put back under deliberation – left Opetaia gutted, and after his straightforward points win he reaffirmed his goal of becoming undisputed via the traditional four sanctioning bodies.

De La Hoya and Zuffa’s Dana White have long had issues, and their back and forth in the media shows no signs of dying down. It comes as little surprise, then, that the Hall of Fame fighter and Golden Boy promoter had something to say on social media about this latest drama.

“So, Jai Opetaia fought over the weekend for what he thought would be an IBF title … only to find out at the press conference that he was lied to by none other than Uncle f***ing Fester and Zuffa.

“So, let me explain. We all know the Zuffa belt is like a participation trophy that’s given to a nine-year-old at the end of a soccer game. It has the significance of a haemorrhoid on my f***ing ass. And that’s all they agreed it would be in order to get the IBF to participate in the Opetaia fight, until last week at the press conference when Fester and his friends surprised everyone and announced the Zuffa belt as a world title belt.

These motherf***ers violated rule number five of the IBF. After that, the sanction was pulled. Zuffa has no intention of following the IBF rules and used that deception to humiliate them. So [the IBF] said f**k this and they pulled out. Zuffa lied to everyone the entire time and poor Jai Opetaia suffered because of it.”

White has hinted at legal action off the back of the IBF’s decision, and there are early reports that suggest that process may have already begun, though there has been no word from Opetaia himself, or his close representatives.

US President Donald Trump warned Iran’s football team Thursday their “life and safety” would be at risk if they took part in the upcoming World Cup in North America.

Trump’s comments came just two days after he told FIFA chief Gianni Infantino the Iranian players would be welcome despite the Middle East war.

“The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

The war, triggered by US-Israeli strikes on February 28, has thrown into doubt Iran’s participation at this summer’s men’s football World Cup, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the US.

Read moreIran’s new supreme leader will keep Strait of Hormuz shut as oil prices spike

Infantino, the head of world football’s governing body, said earlier this week that during a meeting with Trump at the White House they had discussed the “current situation in Iran.”

“President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” he wrote after the meeting on Tuesday.

Infantino in December created a FIFA peace prize and awarded it to Trump.

His comments were the first time the football chief has acknowledged the ongoing war in the Middle East.

Trump this week weighed in on the case of Iran’s visiting women footballers in Australia, calling for them to get asylum.

Trump calls on Australia to give asylum to Iranian women’s soccer players

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