| Saturday, June 7, 2014 Belmont Stakes (G1) Top 4 Trainer Quotes Christophe Clement, winning trainer of Tonalist (No. 11): "It's a great win, it's great for the team, for the staff, for the owner, Mr. Evans, who believed in us. I'm absolutely thrilled. It's wonderful." "He trained great, he looked great before the race. I'm absolutely delighted that he won." "I wasn't sure he won. We actually thought he finished second, but we got lucky, he won. It was great." Did you ever think you'd win the Belmont Stakes when you were growing up in France? "I'm not sure, but I was hoping to win some big races." Todd Pletcher, trainer of runner-up Commissioner (No. 8): "He ran super. I didn't anticipate that we would be on the lead, but we weren't going to take away anything they gave us. He was almost good enough today." Dale Romans, trainer of third-place finisher Medal Count (No. 1): "He ran very well. I thought he would be closer. It was a perfect trip. I think if we could have gotten free a little earlier because he's more of a grinder than a real turn of foot [horse], I would have been real happy with him. I'm happy anyway. It's a great day for racing in America." "It's unbelievable the way this New York crowd came out here and supported our sport, and I want them to know how much we truly appreciate it. It's about being around greatness, and California Chrome is greatness. He couldn't get it done today like the last twelve that tried, but he's greatness, and it proves people here still appreciate the greatness of this game. It's always an honor to be a part of a great event like this." Jimmy Jerkens, trainer of dead-heat fourth-place finisher Wicked Strong (No. 9): "From what I could see, I thought he was in a pretty good spot. He just didn't have any real punch. He just kept grinding. I thought it looked like he was starting to make a move and somebody was right with him the entire way. He couldn't shake loose, but he ran pretty good. He didn't get beat far."
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