Ultimate Desire paced a career-best 1:52.3 to capture the $33,800 final of the Vesuvio Grande, a series for three-year-old colts and geldings, Tuesday at The Meadows

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Mobile stung Ultimate Desire the first quarter, hanging the son of Real Desire-Bolero Ultimate in a demanding 26.4. Trainer/driver Ed Hensley was able to back the second panel down to :29.1, although Hensley said his horse didn’t need the breather.

“When I made the front, I knew it would be hard to pass him,” Hensley said. “He’s pretty sharp right now.”

Mobile finished 2-1/4 lengths back in second while Monster Dragon rallied from 15 lengths back for show. Although Ultimate Desire is based in California, owners Pamela and Hei Mitchell have shipped him to any venue where Hensley is working, a strategy that’s worked out well for all parties.

“I broke his maiden with him at Cal-Expo and thought he was a really nice horse,” Hensley said. “Then he got a little dull. They gave him some time off, then sent him to Indiana Downs when I went there. He went a huge trip but got dull again. He’s not dull now. The owners have done everything right.”

He said Ultimate Desire likely will be pointed for a series at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

Battleship Kelly took the $15,000 Vesuvio Grande consolation when he was able to clear Promiscuous after an extended duel. Battleship Kelly downed that rival by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:55.3, with It Was An Honor third. Dave Palone - now with 12,993 lifetime wins - piloted the gelded son of Allamerican Native-Belle Sarah for trainer Ron Burke and owners Randy Ringer, Michael Ringer and Burke Racing Stable.

Hensley was on the outside again in the $25,000 Preferred Handicap Trot when he asked Oatmeister for an uncovered bid that began just past the half. Oatmeister responded to the challenge, prevailing in 1:55.1, a neck better than Classical Man. Pembroke Prayer finished third.

Hensley trains Oatmeister, a seven-year-old gelded son of Conway Hall-Orelle Hanover, for Jessica Hensley and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

(The Meadows)