Thompson plans to head to Prairie Meadows when Oaklawn closes

Oaklawn-based jockey Terry Thompson will head to Prairie Meadows after the Arkansas meet ends April 15, and he has been doing some important advance work for Iowa.

“I’ve been getting on a lot of good horses for Prairie Meadows,” Thompson said.

Thompson, who has won multiple titles at Oaklawn and Prairie Meadows, took a rare vacation following the close of the Iowa meet last August. He traveled to a variety of locales, including the Bahamas and Hawaii. Thompson returned to riding in February at Oaklawn and won with his first mount back, the 19-1 shot Checker Czech.

“I just took time off and traveled,” Thompson said. “I didn’t have a big stable backing me, so it was a good time to get away because I wouldn’t be losing a lot of horses.”

Thompson is a 45-year-old native of Nebraska. Prairie Meadows opens April 27.

“I’ve been getting on a lot of good horses for Prairie Meadows,” Thompson said.

Thompson, who has won multiple titles at Oaklawn and Prairie Meadows, took a rare vacation following the close of the Iowa meet last August. He traveled to a variety of locales, including the Bahamas and Hawaii. Thompson returned to riding in February at Oaklawn and won with his first mount back, the 19-1 shot Checker Czech.

“I just took time off and traveled,” Thompson said. “I didn’t have a big stable backing me, so it was a good time to get away because I wouldn’t be losing a lot of horses.”

Thompson is a 45-year-old native of Nebraska. Prairie Meadows opens April 27.