So, you’ve hit June in your training run. You’re staring at the schedule, and there it is: the Yasuda Kinen. If you’re a new trainer in Uma Musume Pretty Derby, this race might feel like just another G1 mile on the calendar. But honestly? It’s a beast. It is one of the most prestigious mile races in the game (and real life), and if you aren't prepared for the Tokyo Racecourse, your horse girl is going to get left in the dust.
Most people think "mile race" and just stack speed. That's a mistake. The Yasuda Kinen is tricky because of the Tokyo track layout. It’s a 1600m left-handed turf course, and it features a nasty uphill slope in the final straight. If you haven't built up enough Power or Stamina, your girl will "gas out" right when she needs to be kicking into high gear.
What is the Yasuda Kinen Uma Musume Race Exactly?
In the world of Uma Musume, the Yasuda Kinen is a Grade 1 (G1) race held during the first half of June. It’s open to both "Classic" (Year 2) and "Senior" (Year 3) girls. For many characters, like Vodka or Taiki Shuttle, this race is a mandatory career goal. For others, it’s a choice—a chance to grab a massive chunk of fans (15,000+) and valuable skill points.
The race takes place at the Tokyo Racecourse. If you’ve been paying attention to the skill descriptions, you know that "Left-Handed" (左回り) and "Tokyo Racecourse" (東京レース場) skills are gold here. Since the distance is exactly 1600m, it’s considered a "Standard Distance" (根幹距離), so that skill works too.
Why This Race is a Training Wall
Why do so many trainers struggle here? It's the "Senior" version of the race. By June of Year 3, the CPU rivals like Daiwa Scarlet or Grass Wonder are tuned up. They aren't messing around. If your speed is under 600-700 by this point, you're basically praying for a miracle.
Here is the deal:
- Terrain: Turf
- Direction: Counter-clockwise (Left)
- Distance: 1600m (Mile)
- Key Attribute: Speed is king, but Power is the secret sauce.
You need Power to navigate that final uphill climb. Without it, your acceleration (acceleration, not top speed!) will crawl. I’ve seen countless runs end in 5th place because the trainer ignored Power training in favor of pure Speed. Aim for at least 400-500 Power by the time June rolls around in the Senior year.
Best Girls to Run in Yasuda Kinen
Not every horse girl is built for the mile. You want "A" aptitude in Mile, obviously. But you also want a strategy that fits the Tokyo straight.
Vodka is the poster child for this race. Her "Restless Spirit" (燃え上がる熱意) type skills help her burst through the pack. Since the Tokyo straight is long, "Betweeners" (Sashi) and "Longshots" (Oikomi) actually have a decent chance to catch up, unlike shorter tracks where the lead runners just runaway with it.
Taiki Shuttle is another monster here. Her unique skill, "Blue Sky Preparation," triggers beautifully on this layout. If you're looking for a safe bet to clear the Spring G1 celebration missions, Taiki or Oguri Cap are your best friends. Oguri is basically a cheat code because she can run almost anything, but her stat growth makes her a natural fit for the Yasuda Kinen’s demands.
Strategic Tips for the Win
Don't just click "Next" and hope for the best. Check your skills.
- Passive Skills Matter: If you have the points, pick up Spring Uma Musume (春ウマ娘). It’s a direct buff since this race happens in June.
- Watch the Stamina: Even though it’s "only" a mile, the uphill climb drains more stamina than a flat 1600m. Don't go in with less than 400 Stamina unless you have a solid recovery skill (Blue skill) like "Straight Recovery."
- Positioning is Key: If you're running a "Runner" (逃げ) like Silence Suzuka, make sure you have "Groundwork" or "Leading Figure." If you don't get the lead early at Tokyo, it's very hard to hold off the Sashi runners in that long final stretch.
The "Spring G1 Celebration" Missions
Usually, Cygames runs a series of missions called the "Spring G1 Celebration." The Yasuda Kinen Uma Musume missions often require you to win the race with specific characters or just win it a certain number of times.
A common trap is the Milers Cup and Keio Hai Spring Cup. These are G2 races that happen just before the Yasuda Kinen. If you’re trying to 100% the special missions, you’ll need to run these too. Be careful with your health management! Running three races in a row (Milers -> Keio Hai -> Yasuda) will almost certainly give your girl the "Continuous Racing" penalty, which tanks her stats and motivation. Use a "Cupcake" or "Parfait" item to keep her mood up if you're forced to marathon these races.
Realism Check: Game vs. Reality
Cygames is obsessed with detail. In real life, the Yasuda Kinen is named after Isonosuke Yasuda, the founding president of the JRA. It's meant to determine the best miler in Japan. In the game, they capture this by making the rival AI much more aggressive. You’ll notice the CPU tries to box you in more often during this race than in the earlier G3 or G2 sprints. It’s a "prestige" feel that actually translates to the difficulty curve.
Actionable Next Steps for Trainers
Stop overthinking the Speed stat and start looking at the "Left-Handed" compatibility. If you're about to enter the Yasuda Kinen:
- Check Motivation: Ensure she is at "Perfect" (Extremely Glad) mood. That 10% stat boost is the difference between 1st and 4th.
- Inherit Wisely: Before you even start the run, pick parents that have the Tokyo Racecourse or Mile stars.
- Skill Priority: Grab "Standard Distance" or "Left-Handed" over generic speed buffs if you're low on points. They are cheaper and highly effective for this specific G1.
- Save Items: Keep a Stamina drink or a Motivation item specifically for June Turn 1. You don't want to enter the Yasuda Kinen with a "Leery" status or low energy.
Win this, and you’re well on your way to the URA Finals. Lose it, and you miss out on a massive fan boost that could stall your rank progression. Focus on that Power stat, watch the slope, and let your girl run her heart out.
