HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania officials say they remain “optimistic” about the future of horse racing in the state as a deadline for a deal approaches.

Last week, Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration announced the financial health of the Pennsylvania Racing Fund was declining and had reached a point where it could no longer sustain or protect the integrity of the racing industry. The administration warned it would suspend racing Oct. 30 at the state’s six tracks if a solution was not reached.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture now says “considerable progress” has been made since that announcement. The department says leaders of the horse racing industry, lawmakers and the Wolf administration have reached agreement on a number of issues, but more work remains. They plan to meet again today to discuss the remaining issues.