The [Fire at My Heels] Kitasan Black is a top-tier SSR Speed Support Card in Umamusume: Pretty Derby. It’s a game-changer for training and a must-have for anyone looking to boost their team. Here’s everything you need to know about this card and why it’s worth pulling.

Overview of [Fire at My Heels] Kitasan Black

  • Type: SSR Speed Support Card
  • Release Date (Global): July 16, 2025, available until August 1, 2025.
  • Character: Kitasan Black is a lively horse girl based on the real-life racehorse owned by Saburo Kitajima. Her card’s story shows her love for competition and chasing victory.
  • Purpose: Boosts Speed training in Career Mode, with great stats, skills, and reliable training triggers.

Key Features and Stats

  1. Training Bonuses:
    • Gives a huge Speed boost, up to +15–20% when her friendship is maxed, helping you hit high Speed stats for races.
    • High Specialty Priority: 68 at 3LB, 116 at 4LB, beating out cards like Biko Pegasus (62 at 4LB) and Sakura Bakushin O (50 at 4LB). This means more rainbow Speed training sessions for big stat gains.
    • Quick bond growth helps her hit max friendship fast, making training smoother early on.
  2. Event Bonuses:
    • Three mood-boosting events that improve your trainee’s condition, save stamina, and help performance.
    • Unique events often give skill points or items, useful for tough races or PvP modes like Champions Meetings.
  3. Skill Set:
    • Concentration (先駆け): Speeds up gate starts, great for short- and mile-distance races.
    • Light Step (軽やかステップ): Cuts stamina use on curves, perfect for tricky tracks.
    • Hana Ichiban (花一番): Boosts Speed at the start or during position shifts, working for most race types.
    • Works well with meta skills like Shrine Queen’s Guidance and Vigor Boost, especially in newer updates.
  4. Versatility:
    • Unlike niche cards, Kitasan Black fits all running styles (Front Runner, Stalker, etc.) and distances (Short to Long), making her a go-to for any Uma Musume.

Why [Fire at My Heels] Kitasan Black is a Must-Pull

Here’s why this card is a big deal for everyone, whether you’re free-to-play, a light spender, or a whale:

  1. Top-Notch Training:
    • Her high Specialty Priority and Speed boosts make rainbow training sessions common, pumping up stats fast.
    • One copy of Kitasan Black can outshine two or three other SSR Speed cards, saving your friend borrow slot for other supports.
  2. Worth It Long-Term:
    • Since her JP server debut in 2021, Kitasan Black has stayed a meta powerhouse, great for both PvE (Career Mode, Legend Races) and PvP (Champions Meetings).
    • She’s a smart pick for building a strong account over time.
  3. Good Even at Low Levels:
    • Even a 0LB or 1LB Kitasan Black beats most SSR Speed cards and maxed SRs due to her strong base stats and skills.
    • Future updates will bring universal uncap materials, so one copy can be maxed out later without extra pulls.
  4. Great Banner Value:
    • The banner offers a shot at strong SR cards like Marvelous Sunday or Agnes Tachyon, which are easier to max out and pair well with Kitasan.
    • Pity is 200 pulls (30,000 Carats) for one copy, with 400 pulls (60,000 Carats) recommended for 2–4 copies.
  5. Community Buzz and Strategy:
    • Players on X and Reddit call her the “best support card ever” and a meta staple, crucial for PvP success.
    • Even casual players benefit from her flexibility, letting you train any Uma Musume without stress.
  6. Works with Top Uma Musume:
    • Pairs great with meta characters like Tokai Teio (early-race power), Oguri Cap (mid-race strength), Satono Diamond (long-distance), and Narita Brian (middle/long-distance).
    • Stays relevant with newer Uma Musume like Daiwa Scarlet and Ines Fujin.
  7. F2P-Friendly:
    • One copy is enough for most content, especially if you borrow a maxed Kitasan from friends.
    • Her early banner (July 16, 2025) lets you grab her before the card pool gets crowded, making later pulls harder.

How to Acquire Kitasan Black

  • Banner Details: Runs from July 16 to August 1, 2025.
  • Cost:
    • Guaranteed copy at 200 pulls (30,000 Carats).
    • Best at 3LB or 4LB, needing ~400 pulls (60,000 Carats) for 2–4 copies.
  • Reroll Strategy:
    • Reroll for one Kitasan Black, ideally with cards like Fine Motion or Super Creek.
    • Skip earlier banners (e.g., Oguri Cap, Biwa Hayahide) to save Carats.
  • Future Availability:
    • Not limited, but her pull rate drops after the banner ends. A rerun is likely around March–April 2026.
    • Universal uncap materials in future updates make maxing her easier.

Strategic Considerations

  • For F2P Players:
    • Grab one copy and borrow a maxed Kitasan for tough runs.
    • Max out SR cards like Marvelous Sunday or Sweep Tosho from the banner, as they’re solid backups.
    • Save 30,000–60,000 Carats via daily missions, story, and trophies.
  • For Competitive Players:
    • A 3LB or 4LB Kitasan is key for PvP, giving a stat edge.
    • Pair with supports like Fine Motion (Wit) or Super Creek (Stamina) for a strong deck.
  • For Casual Players:
    • Her flexibility lets you train your favorite Uma Musume easily.
    • Mood events and universal skills make training less of a grind.

Community Sentiment

  • Hype: The community loves Kitasan Black, calling her a “game-changer” and “meta-defining” for PvP and training.
  • Balance: Some players note you don’t need her to enjoy the game, especially with strong SRs or friend borrows.
  • F2P Tips: Players suggest saving 15,000–26,000 Carats through daily missions and trophies, but warn against spending on earlier banners.

Potential Drawbacks

  • High Cost: Maxing her out (4LB) takes a lot of Carats, tough for F2P players.
  • Not Essential: You can clear content with SR cards or other SSRs like Fine Motion or Super Creek.
  • Timing: Early banner means players who spent Carats earlier might struggle to pull her.

Conclusion

The [Fire at My Heels] Kitasan Black is a top Speed Support Card, thanks to its killer training boosts, flexible skills, and lasting value. It’s a must for competitive players and a huge help for casual ones, making training any Uma Musume a breeze. One copy is great, but 2–4 copies (or future uncaps) unlock her full power. Save Carats for her banner (July 16–August 1, 2025) to stay ahead, but don’t stress if you miss out—SR cards and friend borrows can keep you in the game.