Beginning May 10 and continuing through Sept. 28, Prairie Meadows will feature 22 stakes totaling over $1.85 million. A total of 80 racing days will be highlighted by both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing. The season begins with 20 days of Thoroughbred-only racing from May 10 – June 15 and continues with a mixed Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse schedule of 60 race days from June 16 – Sept. 28.
“Overnight Thoroughbred purses have been increased approximately 5% across the board for the upcoming 2024 season,” noted Quarter Horse Racing Secretary Chad Keller.
Live racing will be offered on a Friday – Monday schedule with the following exceptions:
- Opening week of racing which will feature racing Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11 with no racing on Sunday or Monday May 12-13
- No racing on Monday, July 1 during the week leading up to Independence Day there will be a special Wednesday racing July 3, highlighted by central Iowa's fireworks display taking place after the races with post time set for 4:00 p.m.
- Standard post times for Friday and Saturday programs will be 6:00 p.m. while post times for Sunday and Monday programs will begin at 4:00 p.m.
- Special post times are scheduled for Saturday, May 18 (Preakness) and Saturday, June 8 (Belmont) at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 28 at 4:00 p.m. for the Iowa Classic.
The 2024 Thoroughbred stakes schedule during the Festival of Racing on July 5 and 6 is highlighted by the $300,000 GIII Cornhusker H., $250,000 Iowa Derby, and $225,000 Iowa Oaks, the latter two for 3-year-olds anchoring the Festival.
The top Iowa bred runners will take center stage during the Iowa Classic closing night card on Sept. 28 featuring all Iowa bred races for both breeds including a new addition for 2024 on the Thoroughbred schedule with the Iowa Classic Distaff Sprint overnight stake for Iowa bred fillies and mares going six furlongs with a purse of approximately $51,400.
Prairie Meadows Condition Book 1 is available and features the first 14 days of racing for Thoroughbreds only from May 10 – June 3.
Barn Area Opens for Horses Friday, Apr. 12 at 8:00 a.m. while training resumes Sunday, Apr. 14 (weather permitting). Stall applications for both breeds are due to the Racing Office by Tuesday, Apr. 2.
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