Eighteen-year-old Alex Gonzalez took a giant leap of faith when he left his home in Florida in December to come to Northern California. The move is beginning to pay dividends for the apprentice jockey, who won three consecutive races last Friday at Golden Gate Fields and is currently fifth in the jockey standings.

Trainer Michael Pino has been looking forward to the opportunity to put Shabaab on the turf, and that opportunity finally arrives on Wednesday at Gulfstream Park.

Santa Anita canceled last Saturday's card due to rain and insufficient drainage of the main track, then fixed the surface for an eight-race card Sunday. With another storm expected to arrive Tuesday, the week begins with uncertainty. The same might be said for Mythical Power in the race 7 feature.

The Nebraska State Racing Commission has banned perennial leading owner/trainer David Anderson until February 2013 for positive tests involving two of his horses during the Horsemen's Park meet in July 2009.

The postponement of the Grade 2 Robert Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita to this Saturday because of significant rain last weekend may cost the Triple Crown prep a few starters.

With another major winter storm approaching the Northeast both Aqueduct and Laurel Park canceled their live racing cards for Wednesday. Laurel also canceled Thursday's card.

Increases in gross and average warmed sellers up on a bitter cold day at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky's winter mixed sale in Lexington on Monday. Lavender Sky brought $340,000 as a broodmare prospect.