Jon Lucas had the team to beat Saturday for the first Hot Hounds Race of the 2009 season.

Lucas finished first in two categories at the Chocolate Claim Mud Puppy Derby. His top times were in the one mile, one pet dog event and two mile, two sled dog group.

The course was on Yukon Quest Executive Director Wendy Morrison's property off the South Klondike Highway.

The next race will be held at Mendenhall on June 28 and features a number of small, shallow ponds, mud and ruts.

Mushers in the dryland events can use any non-powered means of transportation, except in the ATV category.

Saturday results:

One Mile, One Pet Dog (1.4 miles)

1. Asha - Jon Lucas - Bike - 7.38

2. Rizzo - Megan Ennis - Bike - 10.33

3. Keno - Heather Desmarais - Scooter - 10.44

4. Novaks - Alicia Power - Legs/Canicross - 12.36

5. Alpine, the three legged rocket - Julia Nees - Legs/Canicross - 13.13

6. Aklak - Dave Desmarais - Scooter - 19.20

7. Silver - Heather Gordon - Legs/Canicross - 20.29

One Mile, One Sled Dog (1.4 miles)

1. Grizzly - Darryl Sheepway - Bike - 7.14

2. Peat - Dave Desmarais - Scooter - 9.43

3. Ringo - Janet Keller - Bike - 10.13

4. Rico - Heather Desmarais - Scooter - 11.29

5. Ark - Jon Lucas - Bike - 13.47

Two Mile, Two Sled Dog

(2.2 miles)

1. Emma & Assman - Jon Lucas - Bike - 10.13

2. Polar & Tippy - Darryl Sheepway - Bike - 10.24

3. Hydro & Akin - Fabian Schmitt - Bike - 11.19

4. Dino & Willow - Gaetaon Perrard - Bike - 12.08

5. Kuzmo & Yegor - Janet Keller - Bike - 13.46

6. Appleton & Nero - Claudia Wickert - Scooter - 13.56

7. Raven & Pop-Eye - Jocelyne LeBlanc - Bike - 16.41

8. Justa & Adlak - Alexandra Rochat - Bike - 19.43