Siberian Iris © Benoit Photo

Under a perfectly-timed ride by jockey Rafael Bejarano, Calumet Farm’s Irish-bred Siberian Iris surged to the front in the final strides to win the featured $89,202 CTT & TOC Stakes Friday at Del Mar.

Content to allow his mount to lag in seventh and last place in the early stages of the mile and three-eighths grass course contest, Bejarano guided Siberian Iris to the outside in the upper stretch and the five-year-old mare responded generously to overhaul Over Thinking nearing the wire to score by a neck.

Pantsonfire, the 6-5 favorite, was third, three-quarters of a length behind the runner-up, with Curlin’s Journey another two and one-quarter lengths back in fourth place.

Siberian Iris, a daughter of Excelebration trained by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, accomplished the marathon distance in 2:13.45 and paid $16.20, $6.40 and $3.60 after her third win in 17 career starts. First money of $53,100 increased her earnings to $216,727. Calumet Farm is the nom de course of Brad Kelley of Lexington, Ky.

Over Thinking, a 10-1 longshot piloted by Brice Blanc, paid $9.80 and $4, while Pantsonfire returned $2.40 to show.

Bejarano also won Friday’s sixth race on Miss Ava’s Union for a $12.40 payoff. Also doubling Friday was Hall of Famer Victor Espinoza. His winners were Tiger Dad ($5.80) in the second and Tap Back ($33.80) in the third.