Satsuki Sho Race Guide – Dominate the First G1 at Nakayama

The Satsuki Sho isn't just a stepping stone; it’s a rite of passage for every serious Uma Musume trainer. As the first major G1 race you’ll encounter during the Junior Class in the main story, it’s a gatekeeper that tests not just your Uma’s stats, but also your deck building, race strategy, and how well you’ve internalized the game’s mechanics. Think of it as your first real PvE boss fight and one that punishes poor preparation.

Alt text: Uma Musume anime portrait

Held in early April at the Nakayama Racecourse, this 2000-meter Medium Turf event throws a combination of hills, mood volatility, and weather randomness at you. If your Uma is constantly collapsing during the last stretch or missing out on top-three finishes despite being “above average,” you’re not alone. Thousands of players on Reddit, Discord, and YouTube have documented their struggles here, with some referring to it as the "stat check that humbles all new players." But it doesn’t have to be a wall.

This guide is designed for both new players trying to complete their first campaign and returning veterans who want to train consistent climbers for the URA Finals or the Champion's Meeting. From optimal stat thresholds to skill synergy, deck setups, and even community insights, we’ve compiled everything you need in one place.

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Race Overview

DETAIL

INFO

Race Name

Satsuki Sho

Type

G1 – Medium Turf

Track

Nakayama (Right-handed, moderate hills)

Distance

2000m

Season

Early April (Spring)

Fan Requirement

~4,500 Fans

Field Size

18 Runners

Key Mechanics:

  • Weather: 70% Sunny / 30% Rain (affects skill triggers)
  • Track Profile: Long uphill start → sharp downhill → 500m flat finale
  • Danger Zones: Stamina drain at 1200m mark, crowd noise debuffs at 800m

Verified Stat Thresholds

Consistent wins require these benchmarks:

STAT

MINIMUM

IDEAL

CRITICAL?

Speed

750

800+

Yes

Stamina

550

600+

Yes (or Gold heal)

Power

400

450+

For acceleration

Wisdom

250

300+

Prevents start/mood fails

Guts

150

200+

Late-stretch boost

Reddit Consensus: "Under 300 Wisdom? Expect panic debuffs and missed skill activations in the packed field."

— r/UmaMusume (2024 stats poll)

Top-Tier Uma Picks

CHARACTER

ROLE

BUILD TIP

Tokai Teio

All-Rounder

Balanced stats + sustain

McQueen

Closer

Stack late-speed skills

Bourbon

Sustainer

Stamina-focused inheritance

Rice Shower

Front-Runner

High-risk (needs Break Alarm)

Alt text: In order: Tokai Teio, McQueen, Bourbon, and Rice Shower

Viable Niche Picks:

  • Vodka (Speed-stacking decks)

Alt text: Vodka portrait

  • Silence Suzuka (Requires +10% Mood stability)

Alt text: Silence Suzuka portrait

Avoid: Deep closers (e.g., Gold Ship) without 650+ Stamina.

Non-Negotiable Skills

ESSENTIAL (Prioritize these):

  • Nakayama Racecourse A+ (Lv 5): +150 Speed on this track
  • Spring Runner: +100 Stamina in April
  • Gold Heal (Swinging Maestro / Light Step): Trigger at 600m

HIGH-VALUE SUPPLEMENTS:

  • Corner Recovery: Mitigates hill stamina drain
  • Mid-Leg Acceleration: Helps positioning at 1000m
  • Last Leg Spurt: Capitalizes on 500m straight
  • Mud Runner: Rain skill backup

Optimal Deck Builds

F2P Friendly (3/2/1 Ratio):

TYPE

CARDS

PURPOSE

SPD x3

Oguri Cap (SSR), Kitasan Black

Speed + hill resistance

STM x2

Super Creek, Manhattan Cafe

Stamina + healing skills

UTL x1

Tazuna Hayakawa (SR)

Mood control + event bonuses

Whale Variation:

  • SPD: Teio (SSR), Condor Pasa (SSR), Daiwa Scarlet
  • STM: Mayano Top Gun (SSR), Super Creek (SSR)
  • UTL: Aoi Kiryuin (Wisdom buffs)

Race Day Execution

PHASE 1: Preparation (Pre-April)

  • Reach 4,500+ Fans
  • Equip skills: Nakayama + Spring Runner + Gold Heal
  • Mood: Confident/Good (Never run Irritated/Insecure)

PHASE 2: Race Strategy

SEGMENT

ACTION

Start

Hold 4th–6th (Avoid early burnout)

1200m

Trigger heal if <60% stamina

600m

Activate Gold heal + position yourself

500m

Unleash speed/acceleration skills

Pro Tip: Save your final burst for after Nakayama’s downhill section.

Rewards

  • Satsuki Sho Sash (cosmetic)
  • Medium Turf Shoes
  • 300 Carats + 50,000 Coins
  • Rare Goddess Statue drop (<5% chance)
  • Fan boost toward URA Finals qualification

Critical Pitfalls

Mistake

Consequence

Speed <750

Left behind in the final sprint

No track/season buff

-200+ stat disadvantage

Low Wisdom

Panic debuffs + poor starts

Front-runner spam

Team-wide stamina collapse at 1200m

Should You Run Now?

YES, IF YOU HAVE:

  • A+ Medium/Turf aptitude
  • 3 SPD / 2 STM / 1 UTL deck
  • Nakayama Racecourse skill
  • Mood stability (Tazuna / Kiryuin)

DELAY IF:

  • Core skills unlearned
  • Avg. stats below 700
  • Frequent mood drops below "Good"

Conclusion: Key Takeaways

The Satsuki Sho marks your first real milestone in Uma Musume Pretty Derby. It’s a tactical challenge that blends stat thresholds, smart deck-building, and on-point skill timing to create a race that can feel overwhelming unless you come prepared.

  • STATS: 800+ Speed, 600+ Stamina, and 300+ Wisdom are the baseline
  • SKILLS: Nakayama, Spring Runner, and a Gold Heal are crucial
  • DECK: A 3 Speed / 2 Stamina / 1 Utility build provides balance and mood control
  • STRATEGY: Mid-pack position → heal at 600m → burst at final turn

Conquer the Satsuki Sho and you'll gain massive fan boosts, better inheritance potential, and a clear path toward URA Finals and Champions’ Meet preparations. It’s not just about passing a story mission. It’s about establishing your long-term success in the game.

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Before you attempt your next Satsuki Sho clear, make sure your team is equipped and your deck is stacked. If you're ready to strengthen your Uma Musume journey, start by visiting LootBar and topping up through their Umamusume: Pretty Derby Top Up page—because every perfect run starts with the right prep.

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