Baker leads Iditarod at halfway point

Satellite tracking shows three mushers have left Cripple, the halfway point in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

John Baker of Kotzebue has the early lead Thursday, followed by four-time champion Martin Buser of Big Lake and Bruce Linton of Kasilof.

The next checkpoint is at Ruby, and the next 150 miles will be on the Yukon River.

Six of the 71 teams that left Willow on Sunday have …