Iowa Regulator Approves Prairie Meadows Race Days
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Photo: Coady Photography
The Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission has approved Prairie Meadows' 29th season of live horse racing at the track located just outside of Des Moines, Iowa. Prairie Meadows will continue to feature both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meets in 2018.
The 67-day Thoroughbred season will open Thursday, April 26, 2018. A typical race week will feature races Thursday through Sunday. This season, there are also several special race days scheduled. These races are scheduled for May 28 (Memorial Day), June 13, July 3 (fireworks display to follow), and August 8. The season will end with the Iowa Classic on Saturday, August 11 with the post time of 4 p.m. CT.
The 26-day Quarter Horse season will start Saturday, August 18 and conclude on Saturday, October 13. The Quarter Horses race Friday through Sunday with the exception of closing weekend, which will run Thursday through Saturday. Prairie Meadows will close out the 2018 racing season with the Iowa Quarter Horse Championships, with the post time of 4 p.m. CT.
Post-times will remain the same as the 2017 season, with Thursday and Friday races beginning at 6 p.m. CT and Saturday and Sunday starting at 1 p.m. CT. Special race days, holidays, and notable racing events will have varying post times throughout the season. Triple Crown Saturdays (May 5, May 19, and June 9) will have a post time of 4 p.m. CT; Monday, May 28 (Memorial Day) will begin at 1 p.m. CT; Wednesday, June 13 and August 8 will have a 6 p.m. CT post times; Thursday, October 11 will have a 6 p.m. CT post time.