Iowa approves dates for Prairie Meadows meet beginning May 2

Prairie Meadows has announced the live horse racing dates for the 2026 season, which have been approved by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.

The 2026 live racing season at Prairie Meadows will begin May 2, Kentucky Derby day. It will conclude Sept. 26. A total of 76 racing days are scheduled for Thoroughbreds between May 2 and Sept. 26. There are 56 racing days scheduled for quarter horses between June 8 and Sept. 26.

Click here for Prairie Meadows results.

Post times including special post times, racing events, stakes schedules, purse structures and more detailed horsemen’s information for the upcoming season will be forthcoming once finalized by track officials.  

The first condition book featuring the first 15 days for Thoroughbreds and a preview section for the first nine quarter horse days along with stall applications should be available on or before Feb. 15. Stall applications will be due to the racing office in late March.

Quarter horse futurity and derby nomination forms and stakes schedule information should be available electronically and on our website by Jan. 20. Packets of hard copy information will be mailed to quarter horse owners and trainers over the next two weeks. Quarter horse futurity and derby payment schedules will begin March 1 for the Hawkeye Futurity, Cyclone Derby, Prairie Meadows Gold Futurity and Prairie Meadows Gold Derby.