Carlos Gonzalez moving his tack to California

Carlos Gonzalez, who for years has ranked among the leading jockeys in Louisiana and Arkansas, is set to begin riding in Southern California. He said he will leave Sunday, with his first stop the Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita.

Gonzalez is the second-leading rider at the Louisiana Downs meet, which will close Oct. 20. He said some friends contacted him about coming to ride in Southern California. He will be represented by agent Jim Pegram.

"It's the biggest move I've ever done," said Gonzalez, 42. "I've never been there. I always said I wanted to go for years, and I always put it off. Finally, I said, 'Let's go ahead.' "

Gonzalez had 2,176 wins and $34 million in mount earnings through Thursday. His biggest victories include the Grade 1 Oaklawn Handicap with Precocity in 1998 for longtime patrons John Franks and trainer Bobby Barnett. Gonzalez is a multiple title winner at Louisiana Downs, where this meet he has won 95 races, five fewer than leader John Jacinto heading into the Friday card.-