Luis Contreras will begin riding in Southern California

Luis Contreras is moving from Woodbine to have a go at the Southern California racing circuit.

His agent Mike Ciani confirmed the move, which was reported earlier by Daily Racing Form. His first mount will be Dec. 16 at Los Alamitos, Ciani said.

"He's looking to stay in California and make a home here and go after it," Ciani said.

"He went to Oaklawn last year, and he just wanted to try something new," Ciani said. "He came here about five years ago, did good here. And he liked it here, so he wants to come back."

Contreras has a record this year of 709: 80-93-89 with earnings of $4.7 million. For his career, which began in 2006, he has 2,422 wins from 14,671 starts and earnings of $104.5 million.

He won the Sovereign Award as Canada's most outstanding jockey in 2011 and 2012.