Quip, idle since finishing seventh in the roughly run Kentucky Jockey Club in his 2yo finale, was fit and ready to go iin his 3-year-old debut, rallying from just off the pace to upset the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby under Florent Geroux. Flameaway rallied miledy to finish second in front of the tiring World of Trouble, who was bet down to be the 8-5 favorite just before post time.  Vino Rosso, the favorite throughout most of the wagering before ultimately drifting up to 2-1 at the end, was only a brief factor while turning in a disappointing performance in his first start with the addition of blinkers.

Quip, a son of Distorted Humor, is owned in partnership by WinStar Racing, the China Horse Club and SF Racing. He is trained by Rodolphe Brisset and paid $40.20.