Prairie Meadows Picks, Results & Big 'Uns

Prairie Meadows in Altoona, just outside Des Moines, opened its first live racing season on March 1, 1989, as Iowa's pari-mutuel track. Its season runs from May through September with both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing.

Prairie Meadows has no turf course: every race is on its dirt main track.

Prairie Meadows ran 77 racing days in the past year on dirt. Fields averaged 6.8 starters, Thoroughbred races ranged from 4 1/2f to 1 1/8m, and Quarter Horse races from 110Y to 870Y. Claiming races here have averaged a $16,363 tag recently. WinningPonies' picks produced 198 Big 'Un payouts at Prairie Meadows in the past year totaling $24,832, the largest a $2,060 Pick 4 on July 6, 2026. The Double has been the most common winning Big 'Un wager.