Provided is a method for managing track discard requests. A backup copy of a track in a cache is maintained in a cache backup device. A track discard request is generated to discard tracks in the cache backup device removed from the cache. Track discard requests are queued in a discard track queue. If a predetermined number of track discard requests are queued in the discard track queue while processing in a discard multi-track mode, one discard multiple tracks message is sent to the cache backup device indicating the tracks indicated in the queued predetermined number of track discard requests to instruct the cache backup device to discard the tracks indicated in the discard multiple tracks message. If a predetermined number of periods of inactivity while processing in the discard multi-track mode, processing the track discard requests is switched to a discard single track mode.