Redington first into the halfway point

Knik Lake is bustling with activity tonight as teams come charging into the checkpoint and their mandatory six hour (plus time differential) rest. First in was Iditarod Champion Ryan Redington driving a "young team". Redington was a wildcard in the race when it was revealed he was giving his A team to Wade Marrs to run while he took a "puppy" team out. According to Ryan's kennel page, the puppy team is actually a few of his young dogs combined with some dogs out of his father's kennel - so not an entirely green team... well... other than the Ryan Redington Green.

By 9pm the first ten teams were into the checkpoint - joining Redington were Josh McNeal, Ed Hopkins, Amanda Otto, Dave Turner, Brent Sass, Emily Robinson, Michelle Phillips, Eddie Burke Jr, and Travis Beals. 

Because of start order, Brent Sass should be first out of the checkpoint at 2:32 Sunday Morning, just seven minutes behind him will be Jr. Mushing superstar Emily Robinson. The junior musher has dominated many of the races she's entered both junior and combined. According to her racing kennel page this is her "biggest race to date", but it doesn't seem to have fazed her as she isn't just hanging in there with the big dawgs, she's dominating. At the start Saturday Morning fans noticed her controlled demeanor and focus. 

Teams will continue to come through the late night and should all be in by the time teams start to leave early Sunday morning. You can keep up with in and out times from the Knik 200's spread sheet.

There was one scratch today, Matt Randall was forced to scratch after sustaining a "race ending" knee injury. Randall was working on his Iditarod qualifiers, and the Knik 200 was going to complete his requirements. 

There's about five hours left before the race starts up again and takes it to the next level. Once the mandatory rest is complete the playing field will be level and it will be whoever is first across the finish line who wins.