THE SIDELINES : Racing Champ Tom Rolfe Destroyed

Tom Rolfe, Preakness winner and champion 3-year-old colt of 1965, was destroyed Monday at Claiborne Farm, where he spent his entire stud career. The Daily Racing Form reported infirmities of old age as the reason the 27-year-old stallion was put down.

Tom Rolfe, a 1962 foal by Ribot out of the Roman mare Pocahontas, won nine of 12 starts at 3, finishing third in the Kentucky Derby and second in the Belmont. His offspring include champions Bowl Game, Allex Milord, Run the Gantlet and Hoist the Flag. He was the maternal grandsire of such major winners as Forty Niner, Life’s Magic, Ms. Eloise, Diminuendo, Classy Cathy, Buryyourbelief and Notebook.