A bottoms cracking catalyst composition, comprising: about 30 to about 60 wt % alumina; greater than 0 to about 10 wt % of a dopant, measured as the oxide; about 2 to about 20 wt % reactive silica; about 3 to about 20 wt % of a component comprising peptizable boehmite, colloidal silica, aluminum chlorohydrol, or a combination of any two or more thereof; and about 10 to about 50 wt % of kaolin.