Mistressofthenight © Benoit Photo

Mistressofthenight, providing jockey Rafael Bejarano with his third victory of the afternoon, overcame traffic trouble on the first turn to wear down Reiki Baby in deep stretch and win Del Mar’s feature race Friday, a one-mile contest for older fillies and mares.

Mistressofthenight and Bejarano were bumped between horses on the clubhouse turn, recovered to race prominently and gamely outfinished Reiki Baby to win by a half-length in 1:38.72 for the distance. Reiki Baby was almost a length in front of 45-1 longshot Midnight Lily. Just a Little Hope, the 7-5 favorite, was fourth.

The winner, a daughter of Midnight Lute trained by Richard Baltas, returned $14.60, $6.80 and $6 after her second triumph in nine starts. Reiki Baby paid $7.80 and $5.60, while Midnight Lily returned $15 to show.

Bejarano’s triple Wednesday moved him into a tie with Flavien Prat for the second spot in the jockey standings, five behind the sensational apprentice Evin Roman. Bejarano’s other winners Wednesday were Bridal Arch ($9.40) in the first and Love Winning ($6.60) in the fourth. Prat won the sixth aboard Vallestina ($6). Roman failed to win with seven mounts, finishing second three times.