Etc. . . .

Penn National Gaming Inc., the owner of Charles Town Races and Slots in West Virginia, Penn National Race Course in Pennsylvania, and various other gambling properties, had net income of $17.2 million in the third quarter of 2004, compared with net income in the same quarter last year of $13.6 million, according to documents released by the company Tuesday. Revenue from racing operations in the quarter fell marginally, from $12.5 million to $12.4 million, while operating expenses from racing also fell, from $10.1 million to $9.7 million. . . . Thistledown will be the site on Saturday, Breeders' Cup Day, of a silent auction to benefit the New Vocations racehorse adoption program, with items ranging from a buffet for 20 in the track's VIP room to a piece of a Russian spacecraft that landed on the moon on auction from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information is available at www.horseadoption.com.