FAIRBANKS, Alaska—
Four-time champion Lance Mackey has dropped out of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race.
The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports the veteran was down to seven dogs in the race between Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, and Fairbanks. He had started Saturday with 14 dogs.
He scratched in Dawson City. Mackey says he's quitting for the well-being of his team.
Defending champion Hugh Neff is leading the race.
After a 40-hour layover, he left Dawson with 12 dogs at 5:10 a.m. Yukon time on Thursday.
Allen Moore followed two hours later with 11 dogs.
