Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack, & Hotel is pleased to announce updates on our upcoming Quarter Horse racing season that begins June 8.

© Prairie Meadows

By Chad Keller

ALTOONA, IA–FEBRUARY 24, 2026– Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack, & Hotel is pleased to announce updates on our upcoming Quarter Horse racing season that begins June 8 and continues for 56 race days through September 26 for the 2026 mixed Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse season in Iowa. The Thoroughbreds will start the 2026 racing season on May 2 with 18 Thoroughbred-only race days through June 7 and two additional Thoroughbred-only race days on July 10 and July 11 to complete the 76-day horse racing schedule in Iowa.

A preview of Quarter Horse races from June 8 through June 22 is now available online along with the 2026 stall application form, Quarter Horse stakes schedule listing, horse health requirements to stable on grounds and all Prairie Meadows / I.Q.H.R.A. Futurity and Derby Nomination Forms for 2026.

The 2026 Quarter Horse stakes schedule will feature 23 stakes worth an estimated $2.1 million highlighted with the following Futurities and Derbies estimated to reach or surpass $100,000 in value:

• Hawkeye Futurity (IA) $140,000 est.
• Prairie Meadows Gold Futurity $225,000 est.
• Prairie Meadows Gold Derby $125,000 est.
• Grade 3 - Valley Junction Futurity $300,000 est.
• Altoona Derby $140,000 est.
• Jim Bader Futurity (IA) $200,000 est.
• Polk County Derby (IA) $140,000 est.

Open and Iowa bred aged Quarter Horse runners will be featured throughout the season highlighted with the Grade 3 $50,000g Keokuk Stakes, $40,000g Cy-Hawk Stakes (IA), Grade 3 $30,000a PRM Distaff Challenge, Grade 2 $45,000a PRM Championship Challenge, Grade 3 $45,000a Covered Bridges, Grade 3 $50,000g Two Rivers, $70,000g Future of Iowa (IA) and $70,000g Terrace Hill (IA).

For Quarter Horse owners and trainers, please be advised that nomination payments begin March 1^st for The Hawkeye Futurity (IA), Cyclone Derby (IA), Prairie Meadows Gold Futurity and Derby. Also, please note that any finalist for a stake race that has nomination, sustaining and/or late supplemental payments in order to be eligible to participate must be stabled on grounds from the scheduled date of time trials until the final has run regardless if time trials were held or not. Details on Quarter Horse finalists stabling on grounds can be found in the 2026 Iowa Quarter Horse Hair Testing Protocols also available online and in the General Conditions for all PRM / IQHRA Futurity & Derby nomination forms. This provision will apply to AQHA Racing Challenge races here at Prairie Meadows as well.

Additional information released by Prairie Meadows Racing Department:

• Barn Area Opens for Horses on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 8:00 a.m.
• Training begins on Monday, April 6, 2026 (weather permitting)
• Stall applications for both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses are due to the Racing Office by Wednesday, March 25, 2026
• Quarter Horse Futurity & Derby nomination forms are available online at Prairie Meadows website https://www.prairiemeadows.com/racing/horsemens-info/quarter-horse-racing and payment schedules start March 1 for some races.

Visit the Racing section for the latest 2026 information at https://www.prairiemeadows.com/racing as it becomes available. If you can’t make it to the track please check out and subscribe to our Live Stream on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@PrairieMeadowsLiveRacing and never miss a second of the action here at Prairie Meadows!

To continue receiving information about the 2026 live horse racing season, visit https://www.prairiemeadows.com/signmeup

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About Prairie Meadows

Prairie Meadows began operations as a nonprofit organization in 1989 with the goal of promoting economic development, jobs, agriculture, and tourism in the state of Iowa. Through taxes and charitable donations, Prairie Meadows has given more than $2.4 billion to the state of Iowa. Prairie Meadows offers slot machines, table games, live and simulcast racing, sports wagering, hotel accommodations, entertainment, and more.

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