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Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino

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MilwVon
MilwVon
First Reviewer
3 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
1
Review
4
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Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino

  • August 4, 2007
  • Rated 3 of 5 by MilwVon from Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino

While David and I enjoy going to the casino to play cards (usually three card poker or blackjack) this trip was for dinner and to enjoy the outdoors at the horse track. With our nine year old guest Logan still with us, we thought he might enjoy seeing the horse racing.

Prairie Meadows is a full service track and casino having undergone significant updating over the past year to improve their buffet and adding a fine dining steak house (AJ's). They have also improved the lower level of the racetrack where families are encouraged to bring children. Often they have special events especially targeted for young aspiring jockeys. For us, we used some of our casino points for the free dinner buffet.

Friday is prime rib and shrimp night, although there are plenty of other items including chicken, fish, pasta, pork, and stir-fry. Add a full complement of salad items, vegetables, and an assortment of desserts and you will not leave hungry!

After supper we headed out to the apron of the track where they have a number of benches, picnic tables, and other seating areas. We showed Logan what it was to be a "rail bird" watching the horses as they parade out before each race. We watched a handful of races before we were all pretty much ready to head back home to Ames (approximately a 45-minute drive).

Prairie Meadows Racetrack features thoroughbreds and quarter horses in the spring and summer . . . and harness racing in the fall. They have afternoon matinees and evening racing depending on the day of the week. A full racing schedule can be found on their website at: www.prairiemeadows.com.

As mentioned, they also have a casino on the premises that is very nice! They are a full-service 24/7 gambling facility complete with slots, card, and table games including craps, roulette, blackjack and several variations of poker, plus a poker room upstairs. But be aware, unlike Las Vegas, Reno and Atlantic City, alcoholic beverages are not free!

One of the most unique things about this casino is that it is independently operated and not part of any of the huge gambling corporations like Harrah’s. It is owned and operated by the state as a non-profit 501(c)4 organization with proceeds going to help local and state charities and services. It is truly about providing an improved quality of life for residents of our community.

They provide a very generous comps program, with which we enjoy frequent dinners "on the house". Be sure to stop by the Prairie Gold center upon arrival for your first visit.

As part of their recent expansion, they have added a huge event center which is anticipated to bring in headline type entertainment similar to what you might find in other gambling establishes. So far, we've not seen anything of interest or truly a "headline" act . . . most older reunion type tours or old washed up guys (and gals) from the '60s & '70s.

From journal Iowa - More Than Just Corn Fields

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