Prairie Meadows Cancels Horse Races Due to Heat

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By Belinda Yeung

Story Created: Jul 20, 2011 at 5:13 AM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 20, 2011 at 12:07 PM CDT

ALTOONA, Iowa (AP) — Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino near Des Moines has scratched its horse races because of the heat.

The Des Moines Register says Tuesday's thoroughbred races at the track in Altoona are canceled.

Track spokeswoman Mary Lou Coady says they're concerned about the safety of the horses and the comfort of the fans.

Iowa is under an excessive heat warning into Thursday night. At 6 p.m. Wednesday, the temperature in Des Moines was 97 degrees, with a heat index of 105.

Coady says it's too soon to known how the track will make up the races, but they'll add future race dates rather than reschedule the entire slate. The next races at Prairie Meadows are Friday night.

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