31st Season of Live Racing at Prairie Meadows Is In The Works
May 7, 2020 – Altoona, IA. As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Prairie Meadows is facing unprecedented times and remains temporarily closed. This week, layoffs began for approximately 1,130 employees, and the live race meet – scheduled to begin May 1, has been delayed. “Our focus is to reopen as quickly and as safely as possible,” said Gary Palmer, Prairie Meadows President/CEO. “The health and well-being of our employees, our guests, the horsemen, and our community remain our utmost priority as we look to resume our casino and racing operations.”
Prairie Meadows is scheduled to begin its new mixed meet program this year, a meet format made possible by the partnership of the Iowa Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (IHBPA) and Iowa Quarter Horse Racing Association (IQHRA). “It is with great anticipation that we await the start date of our upcoming meet at Prairie Meadows,” said IHBPA President Dave McShane. “Our members and fellow horsemen will be ready when racing is permitted to run,” McShane added. Tom Lepic, President of IQHRA added, “I’m looking forward to finalizing details of the 2020 racing season soon. The mixed meet is a win-win for both breeds, and we are working closely with the Thoroughbred community and Prairie Meadows to bring this new format to fruition.”
About Prairie Meadows
Prairie Meadows began operations as a nonprofit organization in 1989 with the goal of promoting economic development, jobs, agriculture, and tourism in the state of Iowa. Through taxes, grants, and charitable donations, Prairie Meadows has given $1.9 billion to the state of Iowa. Prairie Meadows offers nearly 1,700 slot machines, table games, live and simulcast racing, sports wagering, hotel accommodations, entertainment, and more.
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