The PERSONAL ENSIGN is named after the undefeated filly that was owned and bred by Ogden Phipps. Personal Ensign was a remarkable undefeated 13-for-13 in her career, becoming the first major horse in over 80 years to accomplish such a feat. Her career ended with a victory in the 1988 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Churchill Downs. Other stakes won by her included the Beldame (1987 and 1988), Whitney Handicap (1988), Maskette (1988), Hempstead (1988), Shuvee Handicap (1988), Rare Perfume (1987), and Frizette (1986). She was named champion older filly or mare for 1988.
The PERSONAL ENSIGN was run as the John A. Morris Handicap until 1997 and prior to that the John A. Morris was run as the Firenze Handicap until 1985. Run at Jamaica prior to l958; at Belmont Park in l975; at Aqueduct from 1960 to 1974 and from 1976 to 1985. Run at a mile and a sixteenth from l948 to l950, and in l958; at a mile in l960 and l96l; at one mile and three-eighths in l975; at one mile and an eighth from 1976 through 1994; and at one mile and a quarter from 1995 to the present. Run on the turf course from l972 to l975. Run in two divisions in l972 and l974.
The 1988 edition was originally scheduled for August 28. It was rescheduled to August 29 due to severe thunderstorms. Run for purse money only on August 29, l988.