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Prairie Meadows Releases First 2023 Condition Book; Iowa Bred Stakes and Overnight Thoroughbred Races Get Purse Increase

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ALTOONA, IA – Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack, & Hotel announced the release of the first condition book of the 2023 season. The book includes a Quarter Horse preview section, stakes schedules for Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse breeds, and additional information for owners, trainers, jockeys, and industry participants planning to race in Iowa. 

The 2023 live racing season will begin on Friday, May 12 and will conclude on Saturday, September 30. The final race day of the season will feature the Iowa Classic event with an all-Iowa bred race card. A total of 80 racing days will be scheduled. The season begins with 20 days of Thoroughbred-only racing from May 12 – June 17and continues with a mixed Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse schedule of 60 race days from June 18 – September 30.  

Live racing will be offered on a Friday – Monday schedule except for opening week of racing which will feature racing on Friday, May 12 and Saturday, May 13 only. Standard post times for Friday and Saturday programs will be 6:00 p.m.while post times for Sunday and Monday programs will begin at 4:00 p.m. Currently, the only post time exception is Saturday, September 30, with a special post time of 4:00 p.m. for the Iowa Classic. 

Book One is now available online and features the first 14 days of racing for Thoroughbreds only along with a preview section for Quarter Horses with the first 10 days of racing from June 18 – July 3. 

“Overnight purses on the Thoroughbred side have been increased by $1,000 across the board for the upcoming 2023 season,” noted Quarter Horse Racing Secretary Chad Keller. “The Quarter Horse purse structure for the most part remains similar to last year with minor adjustments, however we should reach nearly $13,000 for an average open overnight purse in 2023 – our highest level since 2008,” Keller explained.

Stakes schedules for both breeds have also been released for 2023..

“The Thoroughbred stakes schedule will follow a similar format to last year with the only change being four Iowa-bred stakes receiving purse increases from $65,000 to $75,000,” Keller stated. “The Quarter Horse stakes schedule has a few minor changes for 2023. We have dropped the Prairie Sprint stakes race and moved the Keokuk and Prairie Dash to different times on the schedule. We’ve also reallocated monies to a few stakes, shortened the Two Rivers distance to 400 yards, and added a few more days between trial and final dates for 400-yard Derbies,” Keller said.

Additional information released by Prairie Meadows Racing Department:

  • Barn Area Opens for Horses on Friday, April 14, 2023 at 8:00 a.m.
  • Training begins on Sunday, April 16, 2023 (weather permitting)
  • Stall applications for both breeds are due to the Racing Office by Tuesday, April 4, 2023
  • 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.
  • Horse health requirements for both breeds and ponies are available online, on the stall application form, or on page 6 in the condition book. 
  • Seasonal jobs are available. Apply online here https://www.prairiemeadows.com/about-us/careers Click on Job Openings and search for General Application (2023 Live Racing) to view all positions available in Racing.

Any additional details on the 2023 live racing season will be posted at https://www.prairiemeadows.com/racing as they become available.