How to Solve the Cat Race Puzzle Grim Fandango
The cat race puzzle is one of the most notorious challenges in Grim Fandango, and players often get stuck even after exploring the cat track from top to bottom. I remember banging my head against this puzzle during my first playthrough.
The solution hinges on discovering three separate clues hidden around Rubacava: the week of the race, the race number, and the day of the week known for handing out kitty hats. Once you have these details, you can use the ticket printer to forge a betting stub that passes inspection at the photo finish window.
In this guide, I’ll go over all the steps so you can get back to Manny’s adventure without endless trial and error.
Jump to:
Gathering the Clues: Week, Race Number, and Kitty Hat Day
The first step is to collect the items that will lead you to the hidden information. In Rubacava’s Calavera Café, track down Charlie, the shady hustler. Talk to him about counterfeit tickets, listen to his tales about the coat check system, and ask if he can make union cards. He’ll slip you a VIP pass and a portable ticket printer. Flash the VIP pass at Glottis to lure him to the high rollers lounge at the cat track. While Glottis loses his mind over gambling, you can explore.
To uncover the race number, you’ll need Lola’s help. First, find a photo card showing a tongue and the number 22. Show this card at Lupe’s coat check counter to retrieve Lola’s jacket. Inside you’ll find a note reading “36 Rusty anchor.” Head to Toto the tattoo artist, whose shop is tucked under the blue casket jazz bar. Present the note, and he’ll pull out his tattoo catalog. Among the pages, you’ll discover a photo of a cat race finish line with a huge race number above the track, the blimp Olivia 1 looming overhead, and a crowd wearing cat hats. Make sure to pocket the photo – the number on the banner is 6, indicating Race 6.
Next, determine which week of the season the race occurred. Visit the memorial to Sanspoof, the giant stuffed cat at the track entrance. The plaque is easy to miss; you need to walk to the side of the case to trigger a close‑up where Manny reads the inscription. It states that Sanspoof died when the airship Olivia 1 crashed during the second week of the racing season. That little detail will become crucial when you print your ticket.
For the day of the week, pay attention to the kitty hat clue. Talk to the mean ticket guy at the right-hand window of the track. He complains that people always ask silly questions and mutters that they only hand out cat hats on Tuesdays. Combined with the photo showing everyone wearing those hats, this tells you that the photo finish happened on a Tuesday. Remember this conversation, because you won’t get the answer from the main window.
If you’ve been exploring thoroughly, you might also have wandered into the betting window, poked around the photo counter, or chatted with Carla at the blimp security checkpoint. Each interaction grounds you deeper in the world and hints that nothing in Rubacava is straightforward. For more classic mind benders like this, check out our guide to the best point and click adventure games that highlights titles with similar puzzle‑solving appeal.
Printing the Ticket: Using the Ticket Printer and Photo Finish
With all three clues in hand (Week 2, Race 6, and Tuesday), it’s time to use the ticket printer. The handheld device has three columns of buttons. The left column sets the week, the middle sets the day of the week, and the right sets the race number. Pull the printer from your inventory, set the week to 02, the day to Tuesday, and the race number to 06. It’s easy to misread the numbers because the interface is tiny; Manny will comment on the selections if you inspect the printed ticket. Don’t worry if you need to cycle through the days. Once the ticket reads Week 2, Tuesday, Race 6, you’re ready.
Head back to the photo finish counter. It’s on the opposite side of the building from the betting window, so don’t hand your slip to the wrong clerk. The ticket guy there accepts only official tickets, but the photo finish clerk is the one you need. Give him your forged ticket and he’ll slide a photograph under the glass. This image contains proof of Nick Virago’s infidelity – he’s standing with Olivia in the high rollers lounge. The scandalous scene is your leverage. If you accidentally talk to the betting window clerk or the mean ticket guy, they’ll declare the ticket a fake and send you away. Simply walk to the other counter and try again.
A Personal Reflection and Recommendation
When I finally solved the cat race puzzle, I felt both relief and admiration. On my first attempt, I wasted an hour printing tickets for every possible combination, handing them to the wrong clerk, and listening to the mean ticket guy sneer. Only after noticing the cat hats in the photo and hearing his Tuesday remark did the solution fall into place. This puzzle taught me to slow down and pay attention to small details, like how a photo counter differs from a betting window, or how a memorial plaque can hide critical information.
These lessons reflect why Grim Fandango endures. It rewards curiosity, encourages you to test ideas, and builds a world where puzzles are woven seamlessly into the narrative. If you haven’t played the remastered version yet, it’s worth revisiting, not just for nostalgia but for the joy of solving smart puzzles.
You can pick up Grim Fandango Remastered from our Eneba store at a great price. The Steam key version works on modern PCs and includes updated visuals and orchestrated music. Grab your copy and experience Manny’s journey through the Land of the Dead for yourself.
FAQs
How do I solve the cat race puzzle in Grim Fandango?
To solve the cat race puzzle in Grim Fandango, you must set the fake ticket to Week 2, Tuesday, and Race 6. These values come from clues gathered around the cat track: the memorial plaque says the blimp crashed in week two, the photo finish shows race six, and the mean ticket guy mentions that kitty hat day is Tuesday.
Where do I get the ticket printer in Grim Fandango?
You get the ticket printer in Grim Fandango by speaking with Charlie in the Calavera Café. Ask him about counterfeit betting stubs and union cards; he’ll hand you the ticket printer and a VIP pass to the high rollers lounge.
What day is kitty hat day in Grim Fandango?
In Grim Fandango, kitty hat day is Tuesday according to the ticket guy at the cat track. The crowd in the cat race photo wears cat hats, which confirms that the race took place on a Tuesday.
Which counter accepts the fake ticket in Grim Fandango?
The counter that accepts the fake ticket in Grim Fandango is the photo finish window. Handing your ticket to the betting window or the mean ticket guy will result in rejection, so use the opposite counter to claim the incriminating photo.
Can I progress without solving the cat race puzzle in Grim Fandango?
No, you cannot progress without solving the cat race puzzle because the photo from the photo finish window is needed to blackmail Nick Virago. Without it, you can’t secure a lawyer for the SeaBees or get your union card.
