HOT SPRINGS, Ark. Born: 6/24/34, Table Rock, Nebraska Resides: Hot Springs, Arkansas Family: Bonnie (wife), David & Paul (sons); Debbie (daughter)

Holthus, who is coming off one of his best professional years, hopes 2005 will carry over 2004.

"Our two-year-olds really came through for us last year, including a top colt and filly.  We won several graded stakes with  youngsters like Greater Good, Kota, and Diane's Debut.  We broke the maidens of 18 two-year-olds.  Leaving Hot Springs and heading for Kentucky, I was reasonably sure we were strong in youngsters. but you never really know until you test them."

In 2004, the Holthus barn won 72 of 364 starts while earning $2,635,551.  Remarkablt, his stable finished in the money in 50 percent of its starts.

Bob, 70, has been training at Oaklawn for a half century.  He has 40 horses on hand for the 2005 racing season.  The most winning trfainer ever at the Spa, he  has won nine training titles here.

Even with the most winners, he trails the late Henry Forrest, who won 11 Spa crowns.

Bob, who has been in Barn 15 for more than 30 years, won his first championship in 1967, then added to it in 1971, 1977, 1978, 1982, 1985, concluding with three stright crowns, 1989-90-91.

Greater Good, who was bred by his owner Lewis Lakin, won the $223,200 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs on November 27.  Earlier he had taken the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Turfway Park.

"I am thinking Arkansas Derby with him," said Holthus.  "He will run all day.  This colt broke his maiden going seven eighths of a mile."

Kota won the Anna M. Fisher Debutante at Ellis and finished second in the $215,400 Golden Rod the closing day of the autumn meet at Churchill.

Holthus developed Proper Reality into a winner of $1,700,000 including the 1988 Arkansas Derby.  He won repeated Oaklawn stakes with that horse, Overpeer, Bay Phantom, Potentiality, Our Trade Winds, Proper Reflection, ne Dot, and Spike Nail.  In recent seasons there have been Mama's Pro, Proper Banner. Ruby's Secret, the appy Hopper and Pro Prodo.  Among his 2005 horses at Oaklawn, in addition to Greater Good, Kota, and Diane's Debut are the stakes winners Pro Prado, Proper Prado, Saltwater Runner and Cojet.