The 26-day 2016 session runs through Saturday, October 15 and includes 17 stakes races highlighted by the $160,000 (estimated) Jim Bader Futurity and the $225,000 (estimated) Valley Junction Futurity on the final day of the meet.

The racing office took entries for the first day of the meet on Thursday, including the traditional opening-day $45,000 Keokuk Stakes (see related story), which drew an overflow field of 12 runners.

In recent years, the Keokuk Stakes served as a springboard for eventual season-ending AQHA Merial Distaff victories by Spit Curl Diva in 2010 and Sudden Separation in 2015.

Trainer Larry Sharp, who conditions the multiple stakes winning Inseperable mare Sudden Separation for owner Duane Murphy, said he was hopeful that this year’s Keokuk Stakes would begin a reversal of fortunes for his distaffer.

“She hasn’t won a race since the big one last year in Texas,” noted the affable Sharp. “But it’s not because she hasn’t been trying.”

“She runs so hard on her hind end that she had trouble getting a hold of the track surface at Remington Park and Canterbury Park,” added Sharp. “Still, she managed to finish second in three of her races at those tracks. She loves the Prairie Meadows track, so I’m optimistic!”

Saturday’s card also includes five trials involving 47 hopefuls for the $152,070 (estimated) Iowa Double Gold Futurity and three trials totaling 22 nominees for the $76,806 (estimated) Iowa Double Gold Derby on Saturday, September 3.

Horsemen and fans alike are reminded of the new post times for the 2016 Quarter Horse season at Prairie Meadows. On Fridays, racing will begin at 5:30pm. On Saturdays and Sundays, racing will start at 1pm.