"Run for the Roses: The Kentucky Derby and the Business of Horse Racing" on CNBC Tonight at 9 PM

CNBC's primetime original program, Run for the Roses: The Kentucky Derby and the Business of Horse Racing, anchored by Melissa Francis, and premiering Thursday, April 30, at 9PM and 1AM ET takes a behind-the-scenes look at the horse racing industry, spotlighting the premier race in the triple crown.

CNBC explores the continually expanding, publicly traded Churchill Downs which now includes the online wagering service Twinspires.com, a 50% stake in Horseracing Television, a $121 million renovation of the main site, and racetracks in Chicago, Miami Gardens, Fla. and New Orleans.

"Run for the Roses" also offers a breakdown of money that surrounds this storied race including the $200 million that is pumped into the Louisville economy, the $100 million-plus in bets, and the $2 million purse.

Interview subjects include Mike Iavarone, CEO of International Equine Acquisitions Holdings, Inc./owner of past Derby champion Big Brown; Chris McCarron, Hall of Fame jockey; Steven Crist, Racing Form publisher, Andrew Beyer, Washington Post horse-racing columnist/author; John Asher, Churchill Downs historian, and Kentucky Derby legend/Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day.