A computer-implemented system, method, and program product is disclosed for managing memory pages in a memory that includes a page replacement function. The method includes detecting that a sequence of pages is read by an application into the memory. The method continues by initiating a read-ahead to access a plurality of pages including the sequence of pages and a next page that has not yet been read, and storing the plurality in a page frame table of the memory. During the read-ahead, the method sets a soft-pin bit in the page frame table corresponding to each of the pages of the plurality of pages in the read-ahead. Each the soft-pin bit temporarily reserves its respective page from replacement by the page replacement function.