Trainer Danny Peitz

Born: July 24, 1957  Resides: Long Island, New York Family: Sandra, wife

Dan Peitz has 12 horses at Oaklawn, headed by Holistic, a Holy Bull three-year-old filly who was such an impressive winner here opening day.

"You never know until you try them a few times, but I think Holistic is going to be something special," Peitz said recently. "I started her for the first time in November at Aqueduct just before we shipped to Oaklawn. She finished second at five and a half, beaten a length and a quarter in 1:03 and change."

Peitz has gained a lot of recognition of late with Steppenwolfer, second to Lawyer Ron in the 2006 Arkansas Derby. The horse later finished third to Barbaro in the Kentucky Derby.   

Peitz also developed Capote Belle, with whom he won the American Beauty, Humana Distaff, Test and Prioress Stakes.

Peitz, who grew up in Little Rock, got into racing because his father was a fan. After graduating from Little Rock Catholic and attending the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, he turned to the turf. He worked two years for Paul Adwell back in days of Romeo and Go To The Bank.

But, it was Joe Cantey, who really took Dan under his wing. For Joe, Peitz went from groom to foreman to assistant trainer.