Congress won’t call in the dogs

The Iditarod, an 1,112-mile dog sled race in Alaska, got underway Saturday, and it turns out the offbeat sport is quite similar to many mainstream sports in at least one way: The participants are subjected to drug testing.

USA Today reported: “The 40-pound Alaskan huskies are subject to urine tests that check for steroids, stimulants, opiates, muscle relaxants and other substances -- anything that could mask pain, increase strength or improve endurance.”

Testing of the dogs began in 1992, and there have been only a handful of positive tests, but nothing that led to a ban.

Still, some have suggested that the human competitors -- called mushers -- might be in line for testing. The USA Today story reported that the mushers often blow marijuana smoke near their dogs to calm them.

“We joke that they should test more mushers than dogs,” said four-time Iditarod champion Martin Buser said.

Trivia time

Cornell became the first team other than Penn or Princeton to win the Ivy League basketball title since 1988. Which was the last Ivy League team to win an NCAA tournament game?

American idol

Spring training is normally a time for fans to meet their idols, but the tables were turned for Seattle Mariners pitcher Miguel Batista last week in Phoenix.

The Seattle Times reported that Batista, who plays the saxophone, went backstage at a Kenny G concert to meet his musical idol, then stayed for the show.

At one point, Kenny G left the stage while playing and waded through the aisles before approaching Batista’s seat.

“Then he pauses from playing,” Batista said. “And he goes, ‘Thanks, guy, it was cool today.’ ”

It couldn’t get much better for Batista.

“Now, I feel like I’ve had everything,” he said. “I’ve talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I’d be served. I’d be complete.”

By a whisker

Golden State Warriors guard Baron Davis announced on his blog that he has created a best beard contest on the website www.ibeatyou.com.

“Grow out a beard and join the comp,” Davis wrote. “See if ya’ll can top mine!!”

So far, there are 15 entries, including someone who submitted a picture of Hans Langseth, the Guinness record holder for longest beard.

Unfortunately, Langseth died in 1927.

Stopping the streak

A streaker will be charged with willful exposure, but not before he was charged by Australian cricket player Andrew Symonds during a match against India in Brisbane on Tuesday.

Australian newspaper the Age reports that Symonds lowered his shoulder and flattened a streaker who had run on the field and was attempting to avoid authorities by running around.

Now, the streaker is contemplating pressing assault charges against Symonds.

“I think Symonds may have a real problem if the man decides to make a complaint,” said Neil Lawler, a Brisbane lawyer.

Apparently, the problem is in the eye of the beholder.

Crossed up

The Chicago Tribune crossword puzzle on Feb. 22 offered the following clue for 23-down: Watson of golf.

Easy one for golf fans, right? It’s got to be Tom, the eight-time major winner.

Not so fast. There were five spaces. It turns out the correct answer was Bubba, the third-year PGA tour pro.

Trivia answer

Princeton defeated Nevada Las Vegas, 69-57 in the first round in 1998.

And finally

Ernie Els is having second thoughts about saying last year that he was on a three-year plan to overtake Tiger Woods at No. 1 in the world golf rankings.

“I didn’t realize that Tiger was going to win 10 times since I said that,” Els said.

--

peter.yoon@latimes.com