The Iowa Oaks is a Listed American Thoroughbred horse race for three years old fillies, over a distance of miles on the dirt held annually in early July at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa. the event carried a purse of US$225,000.

History The race was inaugurated in 1989 at a distance of 1 mile in was run in late April.

However, the event was idle for five years from 1990 to 1994. When the track administration resumed the event it was known as the Heartland Oaks and it was extended to the current distance of miles and scheduled in July. In 1995 the racetrack added slot machines and the venue was able to increase stakes thus attracting better quality horses. In 1998 the administration of the track reverted the name of the event back to the Iowa Derby.

In 2004 the event was upgraded to Grade III.

In 2020, the purse for the race was reduced, along with the purses for the Cornhusker Handicap and Iowa Derby, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was $225,000 in 2025.

In 2024 the event was downgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Listed status.

Records Speed record: miles – 1:41.64 – Wildwood Royal (2003)

Margins: lengths – Unbridled Elaine (2001)

Most wins by a jockey: 2 – Ricardo Santana Jr. (2018, 2019) 2 – Rafael Bejarano (2006, 2007) 2 – Robert Dean Williams (1997, 1998)

Most wins by a trainer: 4 – Steven M. Asmussen (1997, 2009, 2018, 2019)

Most wins by an owner: 2 – Claiborne Farm (2000, 2013) 2 – Winchell Thoroughbreds (1997, 2009)

Winners Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade RefIowa Oaks2026Mizumi Florent GerouxBob BaffertBaoma Corporation miles1:43.54$213,750Listed2025QuickickBrian Hernandez JrThomas M. AmossGreenwell Thoroughbreds miles1:45.39$242,920Listed2024Just Basking Chris LanderosIan R. WilkesGilder Schwarz Farm miles1:43.40$220,500Listed2023Crypto Mo Cindy MurphyTravis S. MurphyTravis S. Murphy, Matt Trent & Triple V Racing miles1:44.16$225,000III2022Butterbean Glenn W. CorbettKenneth G. McPeekMagdalena Racing & William Klimashousky miles1:43.72$225,000III2021Army WifeJoel RosarioMichael J. MakerThree Diamonds Farm miles1:43.10$225,000III2020Flat Out SpeedAlex L. CanchariLynn ChleboradPoindexter Thoroughbreds miles1:42.79$122,200III2019 Lady Apple Ricardo Santana Jr. Steven M. Asmussen Phoenix Thoroughbred III and KatieRich Stable miles 1:43.33$200,000III2018 She's a Julie Ricardo Santana Jr. Steven M. Asmussen Whispering Oaks Farm miles 1:43.33$200,000III2017 Shane's Girlfriend Kyle Frey Doug F. O'Neill ERJ Racing, W.C. Racing & Dennis O'Neill miles 1:43.94$203,483III2016 Family Tree Florent Geroux Wayne M. Catalano Gary and Mary West miles 1:43.25$200,000III2015 Sarah Sis Julio E. Felix Ingrid Mason Joe Ragsdale miles 1:45.17$200,000III2014 Size Junior Alvarado William I. Mott Claiborne Farm & Adele B. Dilschneider miles 1:43.64$200,000III2013 Fiftyshadesofhay Martin Garcia Bob Baffert Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman miles 1:44.65$200,000III2012 Uptown Bertie Julien R. Leparoux Steve Margolis Richard, Bertram & Elaine Klein miles 1:43.34$200,000III2011 Little Miss Holly Corey J. Lanerie Steve Margolis Gold Square miles 1:43.66$200,000III2010 Seeking the Title Calvin H. Borel Dallas Stewart Charles E. Fipke miles 1:41.84$200,000III2009 Hightap Shaun Bridgmohan Steven M. Asmussen Winchell Thoroughbreds & Gainesway Thoroughbreds miles 1:44.00$200,000III2008 Storm Mesa Eddie Martin Jr. W. Bret Calhoun Richard L. Davis miles 1:41.89$200,000III2007 Marietta Rafael Bejarano Eoin G. Harty Darley Stable miles 1:43.17$200,000III2006 Baghdaria Rafael Bejarano Thomas M. Amoss Clinton C. & Susan A. Atkins miles 1:43.12$200,000III2005 Whimsy Carlos H. Marquez Jr. Michael Stidham Pin Oak Stable miles 1:43.60$122,500III2004 He Loves Me Jozbin Z. Santana Richard W. Small Buckingham Farm miles 1:42.80$125,000III2003 Wildwood Royal Danush Sukie Jimmy Zook William Stiritz miles 1:41.64$125,000 Listed 2002 Lost At Sea Terry J. Thompson Jerry Hollendorfer Peter Abruzzo, John Franks & Jerry Hollendorfer miles 1:42.27$150,000 Listed 2001 Unbridled Elaine Pat Day David R. Vance Roger J. Devenport miles 1:43.88$150,000 Listed 2000 Trip Willie Martinez Frank L. Brothers Claiborne Farm miles 1:43.56$150,000 Listed 1999 Golden Temper Shane Sellers W. Elliott Walden Mark Stanley & Double R Stables miles 1:42.95$125,000 Listed Heartland Oaks1998 Nickel Classic Robert Dean Williams Mark Danner Calvin L. Johnston miles 1:43.47$100,000 Listed 1997 Lucinda Robert Dean Williams Steven M. Asmussen Verne H. Winchell miles 1:45.71$50,000 Listed 1996 Rewana's Okie Cindy Murphy Clinton C. Stuart Richard Wheeler Jr. miles 1:45.17$35,000 1995 Beau's Princess David Wilder Essman David C. Anderson Blue Jay Stable miles 1:44.00$25,000 1990–1994Race not heldIowa Oaks1989 Clickety Click Kelly Michael Murray Terrence W. Dunlavy Viking Farms Ltd 1 mile 1:38.80$25,000

References