by Todd Lieber
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission on Thursday approved Prairie Meadows Racetrack’s request for 2009 racing dates.
The Altoona, Iowa, track will host a 50-day Thoroughbred meeting from April 24 through July 18 and a 32-day mixed meeting from July 27 through September 19, with five Thoroughbred and five Quarter Horse races each day.
Racing will be conducted four days a week, on Monday and Tuesday afternoons and Friday and Saturday evenings.
Prairie Meadows President Gary Palmer told the commission that dates for all breeds were cut by 10% in order to save on operating expenses, marking the third consecutive year that the track has reduced its number of Thoroughbred racing dates.
Iowa horsemen were unhappy with the decision.
"We’ve lost 69 racing opportunities from 2008," said Leroy Gessmann, president of the Iowa Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. "All the horsemen’s groups are going to meet next week to consider our options.
"We haven’t signed anything yet, and they’re not supposed to be able to be licensed without a signed agreement."
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