PENN NATIONAL GAMING INC
EX-10.17(A)
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<DESCRIPTION>EX-10.17(A)
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<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="lg1069_exhibit_10.17(a)"> </A>
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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Exhibit&nbsp;10.17(a)    <BR>    </B></FONT></P>

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NAME="lg1069_agreement"> </A>
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<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>AGREEMENT    <BR>    </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For good and valuable consideration, the Agreement effective February&nbsp;27, 2003 through January&nbsp;16, 2004 by and among The Downs Racing,&nbsp;Inc.
and The Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen Association,&nbsp;Inc. and all of the terms and conditions of the Agreement are hereby extended by the mutual consent of all parties through 11:59 pm on
March&nbsp;16, 2004. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To
indicate their acceptance of this extension of the Agreement, the duly authorized agents of the parties have executed below. </FONT></P>

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<TD COLSPAN=2><FONT SIZE=2>THE DOWNS RACING,&nbsp;INC.</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="8%"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="52%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>RICHARD ORBANN</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2>Name:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="52%"><FONT SIZE=2>Richard Orbann</FONT><HR NOSHADE></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2>Title:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="52%"><FONT SIZE=2>President</FONT><HR NOSHADE></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2>Date:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="52%"><FONT SIZE=2>Feb 15, 2004</FONT><HR NOSHADE></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="52%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TD COLSPAN=2 VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>THE PENNSYLVANIA HARNESS HORSEMEN ASSOCIATION,&nbsp;INC.</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="8%"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="52%"><BR><HR NOSHADE></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2>Name:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="52%"><FONT SIZE=2>Ronald P. Battoni</FONT><HR NOSHADE></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2>Title:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="52%"><FONT SIZE=2>Executive Director</FONT><HR NOSHADE></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE=2>Date:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="52%"><FONT SIZE=2>Feb 13, 2004</FONT><HR NOSHADE></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="37%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_lg1069_1">Exhibit 10.17(a)</A></FONT><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_lg1069_2">AGREEMENT</A></FONT><BR>
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