This Campaign Moves to Japan : Thoroughbreds: Next step in Kotashaan’s horse-of-the-year bid will be in backyard of new ownership group.

FUCHU, Japan —  Kotashaan, the California-based, French-bred horse, can take a big step toward being selected the horse of the year in the United States by winning the Japan Cup on Sunday.

A victory in the world’s richest horse race would be the seventh in 10 starts this year--all on the turf--for Koashaan, winner of the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Turf in his last start on Nov. 6 at Santa Anita.

The 5-year-old horse drew the No. 7 post for the Japan Cup, worth $3.65 million with a winner’s purse of $1.57 million.

“It’s a good place, not far out or inside,” trainer Richard Mandella said Friday. “But for me, the important thing is the finish, not the start.”

Kent Desormeaux will ride Kotashaan, recently purchased by a Japanese group.

Star of Cozzene, anotehr U.S.-based grass specialist bought this year by a Japanese group, drew position No. 3. Jose Santo will ride the 5-year-old, also bought by a Japanese group.

Seven other foreign horses are entered: Luazur of the United States; Urban Sea of France, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner; Italian Derby hero White Muzzle of Britain; Misil of Italy; Platini of Germany; Naturalism of Australia; and The Phantom Chance of from New Zealand.

Seven horses have been entered from Japan in the race for 3-year-olds and up.

Luazur will break from the No. 10 hole. The Bobby Frankel-trained 4-year-old, third in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, will be ridden by Gary Stevens.

Urban Sea drew post 14, and will be ridden by Eric St. Martin.

White Muzzle, who finished second in the Arc, will start from No. 15. The 3-year-old will be ridden by John Reid.

Naturalism, returning to the Japan Cup after finishing second last year to Tokai Teio, drew the No. 12 post.

Starting from No. 9 will be The Phantom Chance, winner of the W.S. Cox Plate at Melbourne. Misil drew No. 16, while Platini will start from No. 4.

Winning Ticket, the 1992 Japan Derby champion, drew position No. 2. Rice Shower, which won Japan’s biannual Emperor’s Cup last year, drew the rail, and Lagacy World, a 4-year-old gelding who placed fourth in last year’s Japan Cup, drew No. 8.