MICHAEL PHELPS made it three-for-three at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials, rallying on the return lap to win the 100-meter butterfly Saturday night.

    In what was billed as the farewell race in his home country, Phelps competed in lane seven after a sluggish swim in the semifinals.

    As usual, it took him a lap to really get going, making the turn in fourth place.

    But Phelps powered to the front, as he’s done so many times.

    Even with a long glide to the wall, he finished in 51.00 seconds.

    When Phelps saw the “1” beside his name, he pounded the water and pointed toward his family — including 7-week-old son Boomer — up in the stands. He’ll now get a chance to win his fourth straight gold in the 100 fly at Rio.

    When his longtime coach, Bob Bowman, asked for a game plan before the race, Phelps kept it simple.

    “I don’t want to lose my last race on American soil,” he said.

    Katie Ledecky and Maya DiRado also won their third individual events on the next-to-last night of the trials, while Nathan Adrian made up for the disappointment of four years ago by winning the 50 freestyle.

    For Ledecky, it’s been the dominating performance everyone expected, this one a nearly 10-second victory in the 800 freestyle.

    For DiRado, it’s been a huge surprise, the first-time Olympian setting herself up to make quite a splash before she retires at age 23.

    A late bloomer who already lined up a job as a business analyst in Atlanta, she followed her victories in the 200 and 400 individual medley by knocking off defending Olympic champion Missy Franklin in the 200 backstroke.

    Franklin finished second to at least ensure she’ll get a chance to go for another gold in Rio.

    Phelps, of course, is also planning to retire — for the second time — as soon as his fifth Olympics are over. At age 31, he cruised through Omaha with victories in both butterfly races as well as the 200 individual medley.

    (SD-Agencies)