TB/QH Stall Applications and QH Futurity & Derby Payments Due April 1; More News from PMRC
March 26, 2025 – Altoona, IA. With the start of the 2025 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 2025 live racing season begins on May 9, 2025, with Thoroughbred-only racing. There will be 20 days of Thoroughbred-only racing through June 14, 2025. The 60-day mixed Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse schedule will take place June 15, 2025 – September 27, 2025.
Dates and deadlines to make note of:
Stall applications are due back to the racing office by Tuesday, April 1, 2025, for both breeds.
Prairie Meadows barn area will open on Friday, April 11, 2025, and on-track training begins Sunday, April 13, 2025 (weather permitting).
Quarter Horse connections are reminded that futurity and derby payment schedules begin on April 1, 2025 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, 2025.
Iowa Festival of Racing is scheduled for July 4 and July 5 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 $250,000 Iowa Derby, and the Listed $225,000 Iowa Oaks. Free nominations for the Festival of Racing will close on Saturday, June 21, 2025.
AQHA / Prairie Meadows Regional Challenge finals are scheduled for the weekend of August 16 & 17. Nominations begin June 1, so to nominate for the Prairie Meadows regional races, contact AQHA Racing Challenge Hotline 877-222-7223.
Iowa Classic is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2025, with an all-Iowa bred race card filled with stakes races for both breeds that will approach an estimated $1,215,000 in total purse monies.
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 hours are currently available online in the Horsemen’s Information section of the Prairie Meadows website at https://www.prairiemeadows.com/racing. Book #1 features Thoroughbred race days from May 9 – June 2 along with a preview section beginning on page 70 for Quarter Horse race days from June 15 – June 30.
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 at https://www.prairiemeadows.com/racing 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. Quarter Horse finalists will need 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. This 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.
Prairie Meadows is pleased to announce that beginning with the upcoming 2025 racing season, a “Ring the Bell” program supporting local Iowa Thoroughbred aftercare organization “HART” (Hope After Racing Thoroughbreds) with their campaign to help raise funds earmarked for the care of Thoroughbreds that have raced or trained at Prairie Meadows but are now in need of a second career/adoption after racing will be established. The “Ring the Bell” program similar to the one offered at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas will allow the winning connections of a race to signal/announce their support for and donation to HART. For more info and to donate to HART, please visit https://iahart.org/
The Prairie Meadows Racing Department would like to pass along our condolences to family and friends of former IQHRA President Butch Hammer who recently passed away. Mr. Hammer was an instrumental part of Quarter Horse racing here in Iowa for decades and his efforts supporting youth racing programs both locally and nationally are well respected by his peers. Hammer is a member of the Iowa Quarter Horse Racing Association Hall of Fame and an AQHA Merle Wood Humanitarian Award winner.
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 Paddock or Placing Judge, Outrider, Test Barn Path Rider, Stall Cleaners, Track Maintenance, Mutuels Teller and Horse Racing Jockey Valet/Saddling Attendant are currently available. Apply online at https://www.prairiemeadows.com/about-us/careers Click on Job Openings and search for “Racing” to find applications for General Application (2025 Live Race Meet), Stall Cleaner, Track Maintenance and Mutuels Teller to fill out online and submit your application.
Another action-packed season of racing in Iowa is approaching. To continue receiving information about Prairie Meadows 2025 live horse racing season, visit https://www.prairiemeadows.com/signmeup
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