The high-percentage meet that trainer Ernie Witt II is having at Lone Star Park near Dallas is sweeter than usual because the success is coming for his father, owner Ernie Witt. The men have shared a passion for racing for decades, but they’ve bonded like never before in recent years, ever since the younger Witt began training in 2007. The Witts have strong ties to Arkansas, and in addition to competing at Lone Star, where they are winning races at a 27 percent clip this season, they are regulars at Oaklawn Park. “My dad and I, this whole thing has brought us closer together than we’ve ever been, and it’s worked out really well,” said Ernie Witt II. “A lot of trainers want to win the Kentucky Derby, and I just want to win the Rainbow, and I want to do that for my dad.” Ernie Witt, a 72-year-old attorney, is highly invested in the Arkansas breeding program that features a handful of stakes, chief among them the Rainbow series for 3-year-olds. Witt has about a dozen mares at his farm in Ozark, Ark., and he also stands two stallions at the facility, Cinnamon Creek and Shady Grove. The farm produces most of the horses Ernie Witt II, 43, has in training, while the men will at times purchase a prospect at auction or claim a runner. Ernie Witt II has 10 horses based at Lone Star, a number that will swell to 17 later in the year when the barn picks up some of the homebreds from the elder Witt’s operation in Arkansas. “We pretty much try to key everything to the Oaklawn meet,” Ernie Witt II said. “We try to get [the 2-year-olds] ready late fall, early winter. If we can get a start in them before the Oaklawn meet, that’s great. If not, they’ll go into the Oaklawn meet first-time starters.” Ernie Witt II was a radio personality in Arkansas before deciding to pursue racing full time. “When I was a kid, my dad got into racing,” he said. “We had a farm in Paris, Ark., and he built a track, and we raced Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds at the old Blue Ribbon Downs. We cut our teeth there. I used to exercise the horses, and I groomed the horses all throughout my teenage years, and so that was essentially my introduction to the business.” Witt had horses with other trainers while his son built a career in radio, then turned his operation over to him when Ernie Witt II decided to go for his trainer’s license several years back at Oaklawn. Following the Lone Star meet, the barn could move to Retama Park near San Antonio or stay put since Lone Star plans to remain open for training into November. The Witts will be in action Sunday, when Misty Grove starts as the probable favorite in the eighth at Lone Star. Retirement for Tight Britches? Tight Britches, who won nine consecutive races between March 2013 and May 8, 2014, could be retired. The mare, who captured an optional $10,000 claimer Thursday at Evangeline Downs, came out of the race with a bowed tendon, according to her trainer, Karl Broberg. It was her 10th win in her last 11 starts, and she dueled for a one-length victory. “Unfortunately, she’s either going to be off for a year or going to be a broodmare,” said Broberg. Broberg said he and owner James C. Cameron are discussing the next move with Tight Britches. She is stabled at Broberg’s farm next to Delta Downs. Tight Britches had her win streak snapped May 25, when she was second by a half-length in an optional $10,000 claimer at Louisiana Downs. She rebounded in the race at Evangeline. “She will be missed,” said Broberg. Heitai to Evangeline Turf Sprint Heitai is being pointed for the inaugural $300,000 Evangeline Turf Sprint next Saturday, said his trainer, Broberg. The horse will be one of the top choices following back-to-back stakes wins at the track. Diego Saenz has the mount for Rowell Enterprises. Broberg said he could also start Snappy Girl, a filly who has won back-to-back stakes at Evangeline. If she goes, Glen Murphy would have the mount, said Broberg. Snappy Girl races for Jerry Namy. The draw for the Evangeline Turf Sprint is Tuesday. ◗ Triple Crown nominee D’cajun Cat tries turf for the first time in the fifth race Sunday at Louisiana Downs. The first-level allowance will be run at five furlongs. D’cajun Cat added blinkers last out and was third in a first-level allowance dirt sprint May 29 at Evangeline.