In a largely symbolic move, the House of Representatives Agriculture Committee approved six amendments on Thursday to a bill that seeks to end horse slaughter in the United States for the purposes of human consumption.

Woodbine Entertainment Group, the operator of Woodbine Racetrack outside Toronto and a partner with the Ontario provincial government in a slot-machine casino, has joined Empire Racing Associates in a bid to win the franchise held by the New York Racing Association, the two groups announced on Thursday.

Woodbine becomes the second major company to join Empire's bid for the NYRA franchise, which expires on Dec. 31, 2007. Earlier this month, Empire said that Delaware North Companies, an owner and operator of racetracks and casinos, would also be a partner.

Woodbine Entertainment Group, the operator of Woodbine Racecourse outside Toronto and a partner with the provincial government in a slot-machine casino, has joined Empire Racing Associates in a bid to win the franchise held by the New York Racing Association, the two groups announced on Thursday.

Woodbine becomes the second major company to join Empire's bid for the NYRA franchise, which expires on Dec. 31, 2007. Earlier this month, Empire said that Delaware North Companies, an owner and operator of racetracks and casinos, would also partner with the group.

Jim Gallagher submitted his resignation as executive director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority on Wednesday, according to Gallagher and an announcement from the department overseeing the authority. The resignation is effective Oct. 1.

Gallagher, a New York native who had previously served on the New York State Racing and Wagering Board, cited family reasons for his resignation in an interview on Wednesday.

Magna Entertainment Corp., the Toronto-based racetrack owner, has purchased an additional 30 percent stake in the bet-processing company Amtote and has notified Amtote officials that it intends to exercise an option to acquire 100 percent of the company, Magna announced Wednesday.

Magna already owns 30 percent of Amtote, one of three companies that process the vast majority of wagers in North America. The company said that it expects to spend $14.3 million by Nov. 25 to acquire the remaining shares of the company, which are privately held.

The Jockeys' Guild board of directors voted on Tuesday night to make a counteroffer to Dwight Manley, the coin dealer and sports agent whom the guild elected in June to be its next national manager, the counsel for the guild said on Wednesday.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The National Thoroughbred Racing Association and Breeders' Cup Ltd., which merged their operations in 2000, will operate under separate budgets beginning next year under a new operating agreement negotiated between the two organizations' separate boards.

Supporters and opponents of legislation that would ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption appeared before a committee of the House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon in Washington, D.C., to debate the merits of the bill.

All-sources handle on North American Thoroughbred races in the second quarter of 2006 was up marginally compared with the second quarter last year, while purses in the quarter increased 3.6 percent, according to statistics released Monday by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and Equibase.

Handle in the quarter was $4,013,729,721, up 0.56 percent from the second quarter of 2005. It was the second quarter in a row in which betting on North American races has increased.

Purses distributed in the quarter were $303,962,900, compared with $293,289,086 last year.

The Jockeys' Guild's board of directors was expected to meet on Monday night to vote on an employment contract for Dwight Manley, the California coin dealer and sports agent who was elected as the guild's national manager last month, Manley said on Monday.