Stall Application and Payment Deadlines for Prairie Meadows

March 26, 2024 – Altoona, IA - With the start of the 2024 live racing season at Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack and Hotel fast approaching, horsemen planning to compete at the Altoona, IA facility this season should take note of several important dates and deadlines.

The 2024 live racing season begins on May 10, 2024, with Thoroughbred-only racing. There will be 20 days of Thoroughbred-only racing through June 15, 2024. The 60-day mixed Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse schedule will take place June 16, 2024 – September 28, 2024.

Dates and deadlines to make note of:

  • Stall applications are due back to the racing office by Tuesday, April 2, 2024, for both breeds.
  •  Prairie Meadows barn area will open on Friday, April 12, 2024, and on-track training begins Sunday, April 14, 2024.
  • Quarter Horse connections are reminded that futurity and derby payment schedules begin on April 1, 2024 for the Valley Junction Futurity (GIII), Altoona Derby, Jim Bader Futurity (IA), and Polk County Derby (IA). Sustaining payments for the Prairie Gold Futurity & Derby, Iowa Stallion QH Futurity (IA), Derby (IA), Hawkeye Futurity (IA), and Cyclone Derby (IA), also come due on April 1, 2024.
  • Iowa Festival of Racing is scheduled for July 5 and July 6 with a total of eight stakes races worth a total of $1,275,000. The marquee events of the Festival will be the Gr. III $300,000 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap, the Listed $225,000 Iowa Oaks, and the Listed $250,000 Iowa Derby. Free nominations for the Festival of Racing will close on Saturday, June 22, 2024.
  • Iowa Classic is scheduled for Saturday, September 28, 2024, with an all-Iowa bred race card filled with stakes races for both breeds that will exceed $1,100,000 in total purses offered.

Live racing will be offered Fridays - Mondays, with post times set for 6:00 pm CDT on Fridays and Saturdays, and 4:00 pm CDT on Sundays and Mondays. Post times may change for special race days, events, and holidays.

Condition Book #1, stall application, stakes schedules, and training schedule with starting gate hours are currently available online in the Horsemen’s Information section of the Prairie Meadows website. Book #1 features Thoroughbred race days from May 10 – June 3 along with a preview section beginning on page 70 for Quarter Horse race days from June 16 – July 3.

Quarter Horse futurity/derby nomination forms, which include payment schedules and general conditions for each race, can be downloaded and printed from the Prairie Meadows website in the Horsemen’s Information section under Quarter Horse Racing, scrolling down to Quarter Horse Futurity/Derby Nomination Forms & Lists.

For payment questions on the Prairie Meadows Gold Futurity/Derby, Valley Junction Futurity, or Altoona Derby, contact Kathy Cunningham at 515-967-1205 or by email at Kathryn.Cunningham@prairiemeadows.com. For payment questions about the Hawkeye Futurity, Cyclone Derby, Iowa Stallion QH Futurity/Derby, Jim Bader Futurity, or Polk County Derby, contact Jim Harvey of the IQHRA at 515-499-0090, or by email at jharvey1347@gmail.com.

Horse health requirements for both breeds and ponies are available on Prairie Meadows website, on the stall application form, or on page 6 in the condition book. All horses wanting to gain access to the barn area will need to comply with these health requirements. A new requirement for Quarter Horse finalists to be stabled on grounds for a stake that had nomination, sustaining and/or late supplemental payments in order to be eligible to participate and qualified through time trials. The requirement in full detail can be found on page 7 in the condition book or in the General Conditions of all futurity and derby nomination forms highlighted in red.

Seasonal jobs are still available in the Racing Department. It is encouraged for anyone with a background in horse racing or working with horses to check out the opportunities to be a part of the pageantry and excitement of working in the horse racing industry in Iowa! Positions such as Outrider, Program Production Coordinator, Paddock ID Vests Attendant, Stall Cleaner, and Horse Racing Jockey Valet are currently available. Apply online and click on Job Openings and search for “Racing” to find applications for General Application (2024 Live Racing), Horse Racing Valet, or Stall Cleaner, to fill out online and submit your application.

Another fun-filled action-packed season of racing in Iowa is approaching. To continue receiving information about Prairie Meadows 2024 live horse racing season, visit https://www.prairiemeadows.com/signmeup     

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