The Iowa Derby is a Listed American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds run over a distance of miles (8.5 furlongs) on the dirt annually at Prairie Meadows Racetrack in Altoona, Iowa. The purse of the event is US$250,000. Race History The race was first run in 1989 as an ungraded stakes race. It became a Grade III event in 2010 and lowered back to Listed in 2018.
Records Speed record: 1:40.37 - Concord Point (2010)
Margins:
10 lengths - Hansen (2012)
Most wins by a trainer: 5 - Steven M. Asmussen (2002, 2006, 2017, 2023, 2025)
Most wins by a jockey: 3 - Rafael Bejarano (2011, 2016, 2024) Most wins by an owner:
No owner has won this race more than once
Winners Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Time2026J J GreyEmmanuel EsquivelKenneth G. McPeek Shamrock Stables, MJM Racing & Magdalena Racing1:43.172025MagnitudeBen CurtisSteven M. AsmussenWinchell Thoroughbreds1:42.262024HenroRafael BejaranoChris A. HartmanJD Thoroughbreds LLC & Joey Keith Davis 1:42.722023 2How Did He Do ThatRichard EramiaSteven M. AsmussenJ. Kirk & Judy Robison1:43.572022Ain’t Life GrandElvin GonzalezKelly R. Von HemelRPM Thoroughbreds 1:42.652021Stilleto BoyJosé Ortiz Doug L. Anderson Steve Moger1:42.642020 1AcreMartin GarciaWilliam I. MottClaiborne Farm & Adele Dilschneider1:42.742019Top Line GrowthJulian PimentelKelly Rubley The Elkstone Group, LLC1:43.072018High NorthFlorent GerouxBrad H. Cox Shortleaf Stable, Inc. 1:44.352017HenceMike SmithSteven M. AsmussenCalumet Farm1:42.842016American FreedomRafael BejaranoBob BaffertMary & Gary West1:42.622015Bent on BourbonJavier CastellanoEddie KenneallyBourbon Lane Stable1:44.002014Jessica's StarDavid MelloMichael StidhamMark D. Breen1:44.122013Looking CoolLeandro R. GoncalvesCarl A. NafzgerJim Tafel1:44.292012HansenRamon DominguezMike MakerDr. Hansen & Skychai Racing1:42.012011Prayer for ReliefRafael BejaranoBob BaffertZayat Stables1:41.732010Concord PointMartin GarciaBob BaffertKaleem Shah1:40.372009Duke of MischiefEibar CoaDavid FawkesJoann & Alex Lieblong, et al.1:42.262008Tiz Now Tiz ThenMiguel MenaEoin G. HartyZabeel Racing1:41.692007Delightful KissJeffrey SanchezPete D. AndersonHobeau Farm1:42.052006More Than RegalShaun BridgmohanSteven M. AsmussenVinery Stables1:42.742005ShamoanJose Valdivia, Jr.Eoin G. HartyP. R. & Linda Laird1:43.142004SwingforthefencesShaun BridgmohanRichard Violette, Jr.Klaravich Stables1:43.312003ExcessivepleasureJon CourtDouglas F. O'NeillTy & Leroy Leatherman1:40.822002EasyfromthegitgoDonnie MecheSteven M. AsmussenJames Cassels & Bob Zollars1:42.592001Touch ToneRobby AlbaradoRonny WernerTom R. Durant1:42.672000Captain SteveShane SellersBob BaffertMichael E. Pegram1:42.351999Grits'n Hard ToastWillie MartinezThomas V. SmithThomas Victor Smith & R. A. Anderson1:42.891998Swear By DixieSidney P. LeJeune JrWalter M. Bindner Jr. Donald G. McClinton1:47.391997Crafty OneSidney P. LeJeune JrKenneth G. McPeekRoy K. & Joyce Monroe1:43.431996Raja's OmegaM. Clifton BerryClinton C. StuartJack & Jim Schuyler1:43.031995Prince AribaPerry S. WhetstoneLarry E. Hunt, Sr.Hunt Country Stables1:44.601989ThelastproudpersonWilson L. BrownDavid Wilder EssmanLocke Neal1:41.64 Notes: 1 In 2020, Letmeno finished first but was disqualified due to interference and placed second. 2 In 2023, One in Vermillion finished in a dead heat for first with How Did He Do That. One in Vermillion was disqualified for interference and placed second.
References
The 2007 Iowa Derby win for Pete Anderson and Delightful Kiss at ESPN Prairie Meadows racing at the NTRA