Prairie Meadows

A Prairie Meadows-based Thoroughbred who twice ran second within eight days while carrying a Class 1, Penalty A substance that humans consume to produce psychoactive effects has earned its trainer a one-year suspension and a $1,000 fine. According to an Iowa Racing Commission ruling dated Oct. 23, trainer Robert Roe "did not dispute the findings, nor did he deny he has to be penalized" after the Sept. 20 and 28 blood and urine samples for Candy My Boy (Candy Ride {Arg}) both came back positive for the banned substances mitragynine...

Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino is updating their jockey policies. The new policy goes into effect July 17 at 6:00 p.m. The following restrictions will be implemented: No new jockeys will be allowed into the current jockey colony at Prairie Meadows. Anyone in the current jockey colony that accepts a mount at another track must self-quarantine for a 14-day period. The quarantine period will start the day following the jockey's most recent mount outside of Prairie Meadows. Once the self-quarantine period is over, the jockey must provide proof of a...

With the latest developments nationwide, the following Out of State restrictions will be in place at Prairie Meadows effective Friday, July 10, 2020 at 6:00pm until further notice: Entry of any horse(s) currently in Texas or Florida will be accepted if the Out of State Trainer agrees to transfer such horse to a Trainer currently stabled at Prairie Meadows Shipping arrangements of such horse(s) should be made with the understanding that no essential barn area workers from Texas or Florida will be allowed on the grounds at Prairie Meadows.

As Prairie Meadows Racetrack opens its doors for the 2020 season Friday, the Iowa Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association is offering a pair of programs designed to assist its members who might be feeling a financial pinch as a result of the delays caused by the coronavirus. Trainers may apply for $100 in assistance per Thoroughbred racehorse stabled at the Altoona track under the COVID-19 Horsemen's Assistance Program. The deadline to apply for the program is 3 p.m. CT Tuesday, June 30. The Iowa HBPA has also created the COVID-19...

Despite a proclamation issued Thursday by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds allowing the state's horse and dog tracks to re-open to spectator-free racing, officials at Prairie Meadows in Altoona have elected to remain closed, declaring that it is still unsafe to conduct live racing. "At Prairie Meadows, we care deeply about the health and well-being of our family of employees, our guests, the horsemen, and our community," said Prairie Meadows President & CEO Gary Palmer. "This is a position in which we have been steadfast since deciding to close our full...

With the planned May 1 opening of their mixed Thorougbred/Quarter Horse meeting indefinitely delayed, officials at Prairie Meadows Racetrack in Altoona, Iowa, announced Thursday that layoffs for some 1,130 of its workers began this week as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. "Our focus is to reopen as quickly and as safely as possible," said Gary Palmer, President and CEO of Prairie Meadows.  "The health and well-being of our employees, our guests, the horsemen, and our community remain our utmost priorities as we look to resume our casino and...

The Allen Poindexter owned- and -bred Kauai (Girolamo) has been named the Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners (ITBOA) Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old male. Trained by Lynn Chleborad, the bay posted a record of 7-3-2-1 in 2019 and earnings of $167,520, with victories in the Iowa Stallion S. and the Iowa Breeders' Derby (each non black-type races). "I was thrilled with his efforts in 2019," said Allen Poindexter. "I expected that he would run better as the distances increased, and that's exactly what happened last season." The other...