NYQUIST's unbeaten run and hopes of another Triple Crown were washed away in the Pimlico mud when the Kentucky Derby winner was beaten into third place behind the horse who had finished second in the Derby - Exaggerator.

This time it was the Kent Desormeaux-ridden Santa Anita Derby winner who got the perfect trip and ranged up on the bend to take command and run out the three and a half lengths winner.

Exaggerator had won the Santa Anita Derby in similar conditions on a sloppy track and part owner Matt Bryan said afterwards: "I thank the Lord above for raining on us!"

Nyquist simply was forced too fast too early, as some feared, after breaking well. He looked a tired horse in the final furlong where, despite a brief rally at the furlong pole, he was caught late by Cherry Wine for second.

Nyquist and Mario Guterriez race too strong in the first quarter mile

The first quarter was a blindingly fast 22.38secs where Nyquist and Mario Gutierrez broke well and raced with with Uncle Lino and Awesome Speed. Exaggerator, who had a poor run through in Kentucky, this time got the perfect trip under Kent Desormeaux along the rail and he was no more than five lengths away by the half-way mark, in a fast 46.56 seconds.

As Nyquist found it hard to shake off Uncle Lino, Exaggerattor moved up on the rail and, switched wide in the straight, he had the $1.5 million prize in the bag two furlongs out.

Exaggerator and jockey Kent Desormeaux with the garland of Black Eyed Susans after the Preakness at Pimlico Racecourse

A record 134,000 sodden race fans crowded into a rain-shrouded Pimlico in Maryland to watch Exaggerator win the 141st Preakness.

Trainer Keith Desormeaux intends taking the son of Curlin to the Belmont but plans for Nyquist are not certain.

After his win in the Santa Anita Derby Winstar Farm accquired the breeding rights to Exaggerator.

The son of Curlin is owned by a group of owners that include Big Chief Racing, who purchased the colt for $110,000 at the 2014 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

At the conclusion of his racing career he will retire to the Kentucky stud where he will be syndicated.