The 76-day season will begin on May 2 and end on September 26; Thoroughbreds have 20 stand-alone days May 2 – June 7 plus July 10 & 11, while Quarter Horses begin racing on June 8 for 56 days.

© Jack Coady Photography

JANUARY 16, 2026 – ALTOONA, IA–Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack, & Hotel has announced the live horse racing dates for the 2026 season, which have been approved by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC).

Prairie Meadows 2026 live racing season will begin on Saturday, May 2 (Kentucky Derby Day) and will conclude on Saturday, September 26. A total of 76 racing days are scheduled for Thoroughbreds (May 2 – September 26) while a total of 56 racing days are scheduled for Quarter Horses (June 8 – September 26). 

Post times including special post times, racing events, stakes schedules, purse structures and more detailed horsemen’s information for the upcoming season will be forthcoming once finalized by track officials. 

The first condition book featuring the first 15 days for Thoroughbreds and a preview section for the first 9 Quarter Horse days along with stall applications should be available on or before February 15, 2026 with stall applications due to the Racing Office in late March 2026.

Quarter Horse Futurity & Derby nomination forms and stakes schedule information should be available electronically and on our website by January 20, 2026 with a packet of hard copy information mailed to Quarter Horse owners and trainers over the next two weeks. QH Futurity & Derby payment schedules will begin March 1, 2026 for the Hawkeye Futurity, Cyclone Derby, PRM Gold Futurity and PRM Gold Derby.

Additional details on the upcoming 2026 live racing season will be announced and posted at https://www.prairiemeadows.com/racing as they become available. To continue receiving information about the 2026 live horse racing season, visit https://www.prairiemeadows.com/signmeup    

About Prairie Meadow
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 $2.3 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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