Prairie Meadows

The season begins with 18 days of Thoroughbred-only racing from May 2–June 7, along with 2 additional Thoroughbred-only race days, July 10–11, when the Iowa Festival of Racing is scheduled.

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission approved a new three-year racing contract Jan. 15 between Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, the Iowa Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, and the Iowa Quarter Horse Racing Association.

Prairie Meadows 2026 live racing season will begin May 2 , the date of the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs, and will conclude Sept. 26.

After four straight wins at Prairie Meadows, Happy Strike will face his toughest challenge yet for owner and trainer Dewaine Loy.

Start times for three days next weekend have changed at Prairie Meadows due to an anticipated number of Quarter Horse trials to be held all three days.

Ritzaphena, the first winner for Lexitonian, is now the his initial stakes winner. Following up a debut maiden victory July 13 on grass, the 2-year-old filly improved to 2-for-2 in capturing the six-furlong Prairie Meadows Debutante Stakes Aug. 15.

Prairie Meadows Debutante Stakes

Due to extreme heat conditions in the area, Prairie Meadows Racetrack in Altoona, Iowa, has moved the July 28 race card to July 31 with a scheduled post time of 6 p.m. CT.

Due to forecasted extreme heat, Prairie Meadows will move July 27's first post from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. CT and the July 28 race card to July 31 with post time to be determined.

Cornishman returned a sizable dividend July 5 for owner Joseph Schumer in upsetting Heroic Move and favored Gould's Gold in the $300,000 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (G3) at Prairie Meadows.