Des Moines beyond the cornfields

Prairie Meadows

ThoroughbredQuarter HorseDirt
Official site ↗Directions ↗Hotels nearby ↗

Prairie Meadows is a thoroughbred and quarter horse racetrack in Altoona, Iowa. It opened in 1989, making it 37 years old in 2026. It races on a 1-mile dirt oval.

Its signature races are the Iowa Derby (G3), Cornhusker Handicap (G3) and Iowa Oaks (G3).

The track is owned by Polk County and filed for bankruptcy in 1991, suspending live racing for the 1992 season.

Track facts

Location
Altoona, Iowa
Racing
Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse
Surfaces
Dirt
Track
1-mile dirt oval
Opened
1989
Racing season
May–August/September
Operator
Racing Association of Central Iowa (Polk County-owned)

Signature races at Prairie Meadows

Race day

When to go. Live racing runs may–August/September. Check the official site for post times and the current stakes schedule.

The view. Our illustration shows Des Moines beyond the cornfields in the background.

Getting there. Directions to Prairie Meadows and parking nearby.

Plan your trip to Prairie Meadows

Hotels near Prairie MeadowsBook a stay for race day on ExpediaRace schedule & post timesLive racing dates and stakesParkingLots near the trackDirectionsMap to Prairie MeadowsTours & things to do in AltoonaSightseeing, tours and more on ExpediaFood & drinks nearbySpots to eat before or after the races

Tracks near Prairie Meadows10

  1. 1ThoroughbredHorsemen's Park — Thoroughbred racing (Omaha, Nebraska)136 mi
  2. 2ThoroughbredAtokad Downs — Thoroughbred racing (South Sioux City, Nebraska)161 mi
  3. 3ThoroughbredLegacy Downs — Thoroughbred racing (Lincoln, Nebraska)175 mi
  4. 4ThoroughbredHarrah's Columbus Nebraska Racing & Casino — Thoroughbred racing (Columbus, Nebraska)201 mi
  5. 5ThoroughbredCanterbury Park — Mystic Lake Derby (Shakopee, Minnesota)217 mi
  6. 6HarnessIllinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack — Illinois Colt Stakes (Springfield, Illinois)237 mi
  7. 7HarnessRunning Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack — Minnesota Night of Champions (Columbus, Minnesota)249 mi
  8. 8ThoroughbredFonner Park — Gus Fonner Stakes (Grand Island, Nebraska)257 mi
  9. 9ThoroughbredFairmount Park Casino & Racing — St. Louis Derby (Collinsville, Illinois)276 mi
  10. 10ThoroughbredHawthorne Race Course — Illinois Derby (Stickney, Illinois)296 mi

Questions about Prairie Meadows

Where is Prairie Meadows?

Prairie Meadows is in Altoona, Iowa.

What kind of racing is at Prairie Meadows?

Prairie Meadows hosts thoroughbred and quarter horse racing. Live racing runs may–August/September.

When did Prairie Meadows open?

Prairie Meadows opened in 1989.

What is the biggest race at Prairie Meadows?

The signature race at Prairie Meadows is the Iowa Derby (G3).

What other racetracks are near Prairie Meadows?

The closest is Horsemen's Park in Omaha, Nebraska, about 136 miles away. See the full list of nearby tracks on this page.

Facts are for the 2026 racing season. Distances are straight-line miles. The illustration is original artwork, not a photo. See something wrong? Let us know. Is this your track? Get the “Listed on HorsetrackAtlas.com” badge for your website.