LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Francisco Torres, the veteran jockey who last fall was barred by Churchill Downs management because of persistent substance-abuse problems, has been contracted to ride in Saudi Arabia. Torres, 31, said he will depart Thursday for Saudi Arabia to ride for Prince Abdul Aziz of the country's ruling monarchy. He said he plans to stay through most of the summer.

Torres, who had been a perennial top 10 rider on the Kentucky circuit since the mid-1990's, was barred in early November by Churchill. Because of the reciprocal agreement among North American tracks, he has not ridden in races since being ruled off. He has supported his family by galloping horses on a private farm near his home in northern Kentucky.

Torres said he will be riding for the top stable in Saudi Arabia. "I didn't ask many questions," he said. "This opportunity came up about a month ago, and we've been working out the details since then."

Torres said he is in a drug treatment program and that he wants to return to riding in Kentucky some day.