I think they simply opted not to use his speed at all last time.
The Gotham's 89 pace fig seems ok - but it's pretty slow in relation to the razor sharp final time of the race.
Had the pace call been after 4fs instead of 6fs - I'm pretty sure that the Gotham would have earned a markedly lower pace fig - because the first half mile of the race was a total crawl .. but the third quarter mile was very sharp and inflated the pace fig to an 89.
Basically, the way I look at it - the connections of Imperial Council blew there best chance to win by the tactics they used.
Saying that, no matter what tactics they used - they certainly weren't beating IWR on that speed friendly track .. and they set Imperial Council up well to stretch out to further distances.
Both his sire and dam sire won the Belmont Stakes ... and horses who have shown good raw speed sprinting - as well as the ability to run well in a slow paced route - are the kind of horses who can be tough in the Belmont.
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