White Mountain - Eyes on 2nd and 3rd

Dallas Seavey was dogged into White Mountain by a loping Nick Petit Team 13 minutes behind him.  Both Teams are now shut down and resting and will leave around 1:30 pm EST.  This is the race to watch....sure its for 2nd...but it will be Dog Hauling Dallas versus traditional "all dogs on the tug line for the WHOLE race" Petit.  Bet you know who I want to come in 2nd....go Petit!!

Dog Hauling Dallas Daddy Mitch has all but locked up 1st place.  Something bad would have to happen in order for Mitch to fall from 1st in this last 77 miles to Nome.  I don't care for Mitch and his tactics....but at this point I rather have the elder Seavey win over Dallas to assure Lance Mackey can keep his iconic title of the only 4 time back to back Iditarod Champion out there.  Lance's iconic reputation was on the line this whole race, along with Rick Swensons 5 Iditarod wins.  I care not for Ricks claim to fame....but Lance....I want Lance to be that 4 time back to back champ forever.

SO.....what is my fantasy finish for Iditarod 45?  Mitch slipping up without any damage to his Team, then Nick passing Dallas to come in 1st.  That would be my fantasy finish....but the likelyhood of that happening is pretty small.  So the next thing I would hope for is Mitch in 1st, Nick in 2nd, and Dallas dropping to 3rd.  The worse scenario would be Mitch slipping up, and Dallas edging out Nick to win it....thus crumbling Lance's and Ricks iconic status as "the only".  Really anything can happen out there....but lets just hope no iconic reputations fall in this last 77 miles of the race! 

Ulsom has come in 4th to White Mountain, but really doesn't have a chance to catch up with Dallas and Petit....unless, unless, unless....

Still on their way to White Mountain are:
Jessie Royer at 894 (and yes, with 16 dogs!)
Wade Marrs at 862 (he stopped to rest in Elim)

Still on their way to Elim are:
Ray Redington at 848
Aliy Zirkle at 844
Kaiser at 842
Phillips at 838
Gebhardt at 825 (not sure where the hell Paul came from but nice to see you Paul!)
Diehl at 821
Johannessen at 820
Lars Monsen at 812

The next pack is resting in Koyuk, mile 808...this includes Jeff King and John Baker.  Buser, who was showing a strong start has slowed way down and is not yet into Koyuk at mile 764.