by Steve Bailey

Owner Michael Paulson remembers well the last time his family's silks graced the winner's circle at Nad al Sheba racecourse.

That would be 12 years ago, when Racing Hall of Famer Cigar, campaigned by his late father, Allen, drove to a thrilling half-length victory over Soul of the Matter in the inaugural running of the Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) in 1996.

"Cigar was the highlight of my father's racing experience—probably the highlight of his entire life," Paulson said. "I'd never seen him happier than he was during Cigar's winning streak and when he won the World Cup. He was very excited about that."

Cigar was the overwhelming favorite to win that first running of the world's most lucrative Thoroughbred race, but that will not be the case for Paulson's Grade 2 winner A. P. Arrow.

The six-year-old A.P. Indy horse, the runner-up to Donn Handicap (G1) winner Spring at Last in his previous outing on February 2 at Gulfstream Park, will break from the far outside post—number 13—just to the right of Horse of the Year and overwhelming favorite Curlin in the 2,000-meter (9.94-furlong) race.

The draw, which might have frustrated the connections of some of the other World Cup challengers, did not bother Paulson in the least.

"It's perfect for us, actually," he said. "This horse is going to be fresh and he can run all day."

Trained by Todd Pletcher, A. P. Arrow won only two of eight starts last season, capturing the Clark Handicap (G2) at Churchill Downs and the Skip Away Handicap (G3) at Gulfstream, but finished third in five of his other six starts.

"He's going to give you a consistent effort every time he steps on the track," Paulson said. "He might not be the fastest horse in a race, but he's got a huge heart."

Exercise rider Eddie King said the long Nad al Sheba stretch will favor A. P. Arrow, who he called a "grinder" with an impressive finishing kick.

"He will grind them out here," he said.

King also said that A. P. Arrow has become comfortable in Dubai but trains better on the training oval away from the Nad al Sheba main track, where he can hear the public address announcer and associates that with race day.

Paulson said he is hopeful the family's familiar red, white, and blue, star-studded "AP" design once again can find a way into the winner's circle under the shimmering Arabian moon.

"You'd like to think lightning could strike twice. Right?" he said. "I think [my father's] spirit is going to be here to enjoy this with us no matter what happens."

Steve Bailey is deputy news editor of Thoroughbred Times