The 2026 racing season is off to a successful start for Canadian trainers MIKE WRIGHT and his son MIKE WRIGHT JR. who sent out the classy old-timer EMBRACE MY UNCLE to an impressive victory at Tampa Bay Downs on Sunday, January 4. In his first race for the Wrights, the nine-year-old Embrace My Uncle, owned by Gina Wright, posted the highest Beyer Speed Figure of his career, 86, with a two-length win, stopping the clock in 1:44.91 for 1 1/16 miles. It was the gelding’s first win on a traditional dirt track from seven starts.
Under jockey Caesar Gonzalez, Embrace My Uncle, unraced since he was claimed for $10,000 by the Wrights on Oct. 30, had an awkward start from the gate and then trailed by some 10 lengths heading into the backstretch. The son of Shanghai Bobby – Midnight Embrace by Midnight Lute advanced along the inside and reeled in the front-running El Chispazo on his way to his ninth career win from 61 races.
Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar, FL, is a favourite spot for the Wrights in the winter. The senior Wright has been a winner at Tampa Bay Downs almost every winter with his own trainees or those for his son who raced in Canada during the season.
Embrace My Uncle is a remarkable gelding who was bred by Yvonne Schwabe in Ontario and purchased for $20,000 as a two-year-old in training by Nick Gonzalez. Embrace My Uncle raced for the Tucci Stable, owned Anthony DiPaola, Sarah Ritchie, and then again for DiPaola before he moved to the Wright stable last fall.
Wright Sr. has won 815 races with stars such as Scotzanna, Accadia Rocket, Hawk in Flight and others, and his son has won 439 races, training champion One Way Love, among others.
The team had another starter on Sunday, the speedy Mad Dog and Joe; however that one’s race came off the grass and the gelding had to work too hard to get the lead to himself and he faded.
Live stream of Tampa Bay Downs, January 4 2026:
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