By David Klassen
The Queen won’t be in Winnipeg until Saturday, but you can see her at Assiniboia Downs this afternoon — sort of.
The race track is celebrating Canada Day with look-alikes of Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and former Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King.
All three will be walking around the grounds with “Mountie” escorts to make race presentations when the horses go to post at 1 p.m. for a special afternoon race card featuring eight races.
An educational component will also make up the Downs’ Canada Day festivities. Each patron who enters will receive a bilingual entry form to match prime ministers with a major accomplishment. Five correct entries will be awarded gift and souvenir packages.
Live racing continues every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. until the end of September.
The real Queen Elizabeth II will be in Toronto on Sunday, where she’ll attend the 151st running of the Queen’s Plate at Woodbine.
