Winning isn't just about the stats. In the high-stakes world of Cygames’ Uma Musume Pretty Derby, the title of "Speed Queen" isn't a single crown handed to one girl; it’s a shifting, chaotic battle for dominance across different distances and track conditions. If you’ve spent any time in the Champion’s Meeting or trying to climb the ranks in Team Stadium, you know that speed—raw, unadulterated velocity—is the lifeblood of the game. But who actually earns that title?
It depends on who you ask.
Most players will immediately point toward Sakura Bakushin O. She is the undisputed goddess of the short distance. To others, the "Speed Queen" is more of a tragic, ethereal figure, personified by Silence Suzuka and her "Leading Leg" style that leaves the rest of the pack in the dust before the first turn is even over. Then you have the newer contenders, the power-creeped monsters like Mihono Bourbon (in her various alt forms) or even Maruzensky. The meta in 2026 has evolved significantly since the game's launch, yet the core mechanics of what makes a speedster viable remain surprisingly consistent.
The Short Distance Tyrant: Sakura Bakushin O
Let's be real for a second. If you are a new player, Sakura Bakushin O is your best friend. She is the gateway drug to winning. Her entire kit is designed around one philosophy: run fast, don't stop, and don't worry about "stamina" because the race is over before you can even get tired. In the world of Uma Musume, she is the "Speed Queen" of efficiency.
Her base growth rate gives a massive +20% bonus to Speed. This makes hitting that 1200 (or the higher post-breakthrough caps) Speed stat trivial compared to training a stayer like Gold Ship. Bakushin O is a "Sprint" specialist. In 1200m races, her Unique Skill, Bakushin! Bakushin!, triggers when she's in the lead during the latter half of the race. It’s a simple, violent surge of speed.
But there is a catch. The community often debates if she’s "too" simple. As the game has matured, players have realized that being a Speed Queen isn't just about the Speed stat. It’s about Acceleration. If you have 1500 Speed but zero acceleration skills like Sprint Turbo or Plan Solo, you’re going to get caught by a late-game "Betweener" or "Chaser" who has better burst. Bakushin O remains the queen because she naturally accesses these kits, but the gap is closing.
The Silence Suzuka Phenomenon: Beyond the Stats
If Bakushin O is the queen of the sprint, Silence Suzuka is the queen of the "Great Escape." There is something haunting about her performance in the game, mirroring the real-life tragedy of the actual racehorse. In Uma Musume, Suzuka is the personification of the Oonige (Great Escape) strategy.
This isn't just "Running Style: Runner." This is a specific, high-risk tactic where Suzuka attempts to build a lead so massive that the camera can't even fit the second-place girl in the same frame.
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Why do people call her the Speed Queen?
- Leading Leg (Sentou Keshiki): Her unique skill is legendary. If she’s in the lead by at least one body length in the final straight, she gets a massive speed boost.
- Distance Versatility: Unlike Bakushin, Suzuka can handle Miles and Medium distances.
- Visual Dominance: Watching a fully maxed-out Suzuka run is different. It’s smoother. It feels like she’s gliding.
Honestly, playing Suzuka is a gamble. If another Runner—say, a Daiwa Scarlet or a Smart Falcon—contests her for the lead early on, they both burn through their stamina and "sink" in the final stretch. To be a true Speed Queen, Suzuka needs specific support cards, like the SSR Mihono Bourbon (Groundwork), to ensure she snaps into that first-place position the millisecond the gates open. Without "Groundwork" and "Concentration," she’s just another fast girl in a crowded field.
The Evolution of the Meta: Who is the Real 2026 Speed Queen?
We have to talk about power creep. It’s the elephant in the room. While the OG girls have a special place in our hearts, the "Speed Queen" title in the current high-end meta often sits with Mihono Bourbon (Valentine version) or Maruzensky (Swimsuit version).
Why? Because of their skills.
In the competitive "Champion’s Meeting," the win isn't determined by who has the highest Speed stat—everyone has maxed stats at that level. It’s determined by Skill Trigger Windows.
"Mizu-Maru" (Swimsuit Maruzensky) became a menace because her unique skill, Giniro Age-age High Tension, triggers based on recovering stamina, which is incredibly easy to manipulate. It gives her a speed boost that effectively acts as a bridge between the middle leg and the final spurt. When you combine that with her high base speed, she becomes an unstoppable force on Mile tracks.
Then there’s the "Cyborg," Mihono Bourbon. Her Valentine’s alt is widely considered the best Runner in the game's history. She has built-in "Groundwork" (basically) and an opening skill that almost guarantees she takes the lead. If you can't take the lead from a Valentine's Bourbon in the first 5 seconds, you aren't winning that race. Period.
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Breaking the Speed Limit: The Role of Support Cards
You can't talk about the Speed Queen without talking about the cards that make them. You could have a 5-star, max-awakened Silence Suzuka, but if you’re using mediocre support cards, she’s going to get smoked by a 1-star Bakushin O trained with the right deck.
The current "Holy Trinity" of speed training usually involves:
- SSR Kitasan Black: The goat. Even years later, the "Master of Fate" card provides such high specialty rates and power bonuses that it’s hard to ignore.
- SSR El Condor Pasa: Vital for those who need that extra "oomph" in the final straight.
- Scenario-Specific Cards: Depending on whether you’re running UAF, Grand Masters, or the newer 2026 scenarios, you need cards that provide "Energy" or "Link" bonuses to break the speed cap.
Back in the day, the speed cap was 1200. Now, with the right scenario buffs, we’re seeing girls hit 1600+ Speed. At that level, the game's physics engine starts doing crazy things. You start seeing "Speed Stars" who can maintain top velocity even on uphill sections of the Tokyo Racecourse.
Common Misconceptions: Speed Isn't Everything
Here is where most players mess up. They see the "Speed Queen" title and think, "Okay, I'll just click the Speed training button until it hits the max."
Big mistake.
If you have 1600 Speed but only 400 Power, your Uma Musume will have the "acceleration of a snail," as some players put it. Power is what determines how quickly you reach that top speed. If you’re a Runner like Suzuka, you need Power to kick off from the gate. If you’re a Chaser like Mr. C.B., you need Power to burst through the pack.
Also, Intelligence (Wisdom). This is the "hidden" speed stat. Intelligence determines how often your skills trigger and how well your girl follows the "racing line." A Speed Queen with low Intelligence will often get "boxed in" (blocked by other runners) or simply forget to use her speed boost skills until it’s too late. It's frustrating to watch, trust me.
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Ranking the Top 5 Speed Queens (Current Meta)
If we’re looking at raw performance, win rates in Room Matches, and ease of training, here is the unofficial hierarchy of speed in the current game:
- 1. Mihono Bourbon (Valentine): The most consistent Runner. Her ability to hold the lead is unmatched.
- 2. Sakura Bakushin O: Still the queen of the 1200m. Don't overthink it. Just Bakushin.
- 3. Maruzensky (Swimsuit): The "Mile" specialist. Her speed-stamina hybrid kit is broken on specific tracks.
- 4. Silence Suzuka: The specialist's choice. High ceiling, but requires perfect "Oonige" setup.
- 5. Aston Machan: A newer contender who has started stealing Bakushin's thunder in short sprints thanks to a more modern skill set.
Actionable Advice for Aspiring Trainers
To actually build your own Speed Queen, you need to stop focusing on the "Speed" button and start focusing on the Intersection of Skills.
First, check the race distance. If it’s a Short or Mile race, your Speed cap is your priority. If it’s a Long race (like the Arima Kinen), "Speed" is actually secondary to Stamina and recovery skills. You can't be a queen if you're walking across the finish line because you ran out of gas.
Second, hunt for "Green Skills." Skills like Right Turns, Autumn Uma Musume, or Single-Digit Draw provide passive Speed bonuses that actually allow you to bypass the visible stat cap. This is the "secret sauce" of top-tier players. A girl with 1200 Speed and three "Double Circle" green skills will actually run faster than a girl with 1300 Speed and no green skills.
Finally, prioritize Acceleration Skills that trigger at the "Start of the Final Leg." This is the most critical moment in any Uma Musume race. Whether it's Angling × Scheming (inherited from Seiun Sky) or Let's Anabolic! (from Mejiro Ryan), these are the triggers that allow your Speed Queen to actually use her speed.
Get your support deck in order, focus on those crucial inheritance factors (look for 3-star Speed or Power factors from your friends), and stop ignoring the Intelligence stat. The throne is waiting.