Iowa Oaks (Prairie Meadows)

The Iowa Oaks was an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Altoona, Iowa. It was open to three-year-old fillies and was contested on dirt over a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles (8.5 furlongs).

The race was inaugurated in 1987 and quickly became one of the most prestigious races for fillies in the Midwest. Due to various economic and racing program changes, the race was occasionally not run. It was often considered a stepping stone for fillies heading towards larger stakes races later in the year.

Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, where the Iowa Oaks was held, has been a prominent venue for horse racing in Iowa. The race itself attracted talented fillies from across the country, vying for a significant purse and the prestige of winning the Iowa Oaks. Over the years, several notable fillies have won the Iowa Oaks, going on to achieve success in other major races. However, in recent years, the race has been removed from the stakes schedule.