Prairie Meadows highlights the April 1 payment deadline for multiple 2026 Quarter Horse futurity and derby races as the upcoming live racing season in Altoona, Iowa approaches.

© Jack Coady Photography

By Chad Keller

ALTOONA, IA–MARCH 30, 2026– With the start of the 2026 live racing season at Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack, and Hotel fast approaching, Quarter Horse owners and trainers planning to compete at the Altoona, IA facility this season should take note of the April 1^st payment deadline for several Futurity & Derby races.

Payment deadlines to make note of:

1. Nomination payments due April 1, 2026 for the Valley Junction Futurity (GIII), Altoona Derby, Jim Bader Futurity (IA), Polk County Derby (IA), Iowa Stallion QH Futurity (IA) and Iowa Stallion Derby (IA).
2. Sustaining payments for the Prairie Meadows Gold Futurity & Derby, Hawkeye Futurity (IA), and Cyclone Derby (IA), also come due on April 1, 2026.
3. AQHA / Prairie Meadows Regional Challenge finals are scheduled for the weekend of August 14 & 15. Nominations begin June 1, so to nominate for the Prairie Meadows regional races, contact AQHA Racing Challenge Hotline 877-222-7223.

The 2026 live racing season begins on May 2, 2026, with 18 days of Thoroughbred-only racing through June 7 and two additional Thoroughbred-only days on July 10 and 11. Quarter Horse racing begins June 8 and continues through September 26 for a total of 76 Thoroughbred race days and 56 Quarter Horse race days during the full season.

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, 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 2 – May 25 along with a preview section beginning on page 64 for Quarter Horse race days from June 8 – June 22.

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.

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